A failed bomb attack on a plane headed to the US has brought body scanners back on the agenda in the EU. Opinions remain divided on the imaging technology which is already being tested in some countries. Some feel it's less invasive than a physical search

Reporter: Body scanners - more or less privacy?

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/13746146/M003-0047-EN.srt

failed in his attack   on an Amsterdam to Detroit flight.

The explosives he had   were not detected in security checks.

The debate on body scanners   has restarted in Europe.

Body scanners are a little-used   technology in Europe.

The aim is to strengthen   security in airports.

What they do is they simply stand   in the imaging technology.

They stand with their fingers   on their temples.

and that image is transmitted   to a remote operator in another room,

The USA hopes to see many more   of them within the EU,

but European Interior Ministers   remain sceptical.

There are possibilities -   body scanners are one possibility.

Tests are being carried out,   in the United Kingdom in particular.

The EU's consideration of the technology   is not yet complete.

Generalised use of body scanners   is not on the agenda.

It could only happen in the framework   of a change to European regulations.

On the other hand,   Brussels has authorised trials.

To Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands,   where they came close to disaster.

On 25 December 2009, a young Nigerian   passed through the security checks

with explosives hidden in his underwear.

when the plane he was travelling on   started its descent into Detroit, USA.

Fortunately his attempt was foiled   by some brave passengers,

but it could have been uncovered sooner   by body scanners,

which are already being tested   in Schiphol Airport.

This little-known technology   raises some questions:

is it dangerous to health or is it a form   of violation of people's privacy?

If you start accepting this as normal,   where will it lead to?

For other people, body scanners offer   more respect than traditional methods.

I think most people would agree   that a physical search

than a picture of your body on the screen.   I think they're a good idea.

We get a much more detailed image   of people going through.

It's an x-ray image.   It's a ghost-like image of somebody.

People might say it's like a naked image,

but when you see the process,   it's not quite like that.

There we have a picture of the gentleman   that's just been screened outside.

will the scanners really strengthen   airport security?

The technology shows all items   hidden on the surface of the body.

It only remains to convince   the leaders of the EU.

A report is being prepared   by the European Commission

to look at three aspects: effectiveness,   health and protection of privacy.

The next European Commissioner   for Justice, Viviane Reding,

to the use of body scanners in airports   in the fight against terrorism.