Originally Posted by
star_world
This commentary from EPIC is as meaningless as the rubbish you find on PV. It's just different facts that they're choosing to ignore, that's all.
FACT: On 4.17.2008,
Nico on behalf of the TSA said that the machines absolutely, categorically, couldn't store images.:
Additionally, these monitors have no ability to save, print or transmit the image.
FACT: On 4.24.2008,
Bob revised the TSA position to say that the equipment could store images, but that the capability would be disabled (implying permanently disabled) before going to the airport:
While the equipment has the capability of collecting and storing an image, the image storage functions will be disabled by the manufacturer before the devices are placed in an airport and will not have the capability to be activated by operators.
FACT: On 1.13.2010,
Bob revised his story to say that they machines could be re-enabled to test mode, but that the TSA screeners at the airport wouldn't be able to do it:
The truth is, the procurement specifications require these machines be capable of functioning in both a screening operation environment at the airport, and in a test mode environment. A test mode would be used at our testing facilities at the Transportation Security Integration Facility (TSIF) and the Transportation Security Lab (TSL). ...
All functionality to store, export or print images is disabled before these machines are delivered to airport checkpoints. There is no way for Transportation Security Officers in the airport environment to place the machines into test mode.
Note that Bob doesn't say that no one in TSA will be able to re-enable the test mode.
FACT: Several people have asked Bob who WOULD have the ability to re-enable the test mode, but this question is unanswered.
In obtaining the device specifications under FOIA, EPIC are now stating that some TSA people will have access permission to re-enable the test mode that stores images. This is in fact consistent with Bob's latest version of the story.
The FACT is that TSA have changed their story when faced with people citing the specifications. Yet in the story reported above, TSA management is back to saying:
Advanced imaging technology cannot store, print, transmit or save the image.
Looks like it's TSA that's ignoring the facts.
