Debate: Airport security controls

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Do modern airport security controls violate personal privacy?

Background and Context of Debate:

At the time where X-ray controls and body scanners are becoming more and more common at the airports, a question of violating - unjustifiably infringing on - one's privacy (which can be in this case defined as the ability to reveal pesonal information selectively).

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Are these controls humiliating?

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Pro

• Being seen naked on the screen of a computer while being scanned is humiliating.

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Con

• Anonymity. Both the images from scanners and surveyed information are kept just for the purpose of deciding whether or not that person presents a threat. Additionally, this data is not stored for longer periods of time and is not attached to one's name, therefore it is not violating any one's privacy as it it anonymous.
• Voluntariness. In the airports, there is a kind of a mutual contract between the society and the customer - the agreement to disclose personal information selectively and voluntarily. Everybody knows about the controls beforehand and everybody has always the opportunity not to fly.

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Do these controls enhance personal security?

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Pro

• Prevention. These security controls are vital for preventing hijacking and enhancing your security while flying. Your life is of greater importance than your uncomfortable feeling of not being able to walk straight away into the aircraft because of the controls.

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Con

• When there is a will, there is a way. Even these controls are never 100% accurate.

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Are these controls overall desirable?

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Pro

• Governments have a duty to their citizens to protect their rights to security of person and freedom from fear. Laws designed to enhance security are not only passed by democratically elected governments, but also enjoy popular support as measured by opinion polls and in the outcomes of subsequent elections. Once the threat of terror has been dealt with, liberty can be given greater emphasis and security measures relaxed once again.

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Con

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See also

• Debate: Are security regulations for flying too strict?
• Debate: Security vs. liberty

External links and resources