How new US software could put end to 'naked' airport scans

Since being put into place, US airport security body scanners that result in an almost-naked pic of the passenger have been under fire for their invasions of privacy.

But US authorities have seemingly responded to the public outcry and have announced plans for a new scanning system that eliminates 'passenger-specific images'.

Transport Security Administration spokesperson John Pistole said the new software was 'designed to enhance privacy'.

According to the Independent, the agency explained that the new software 'will auto-detect items that could pose a potential threat using a generic outline of a person for all passengers'.

'By eliminating the image of an actual passenger and replacing it with a generic outline of a person, passengers are able to view the same outline that the TSA officer sees,' a TSA statement said.

'Further, a separate TSA officer will no longer be required to view the image in a remotely located viewing room.'

There have been hundreds of complaints about the current 'naked' scanners that that take full-body X-ray images that show passengers' genitals. And if you refuse one? TSA agents will manually pat you down.

The scanner were introduced following the unsuccessful 2009 Christmas Day plot to blow up a US jet by a Nigerian traveller who'd hidden explosives in his underwear.

But critics, including Khloe Kardashian and a former Miss USA, have slammed the procedure as invasive and demeaning.

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