Blogger’s Video Claims to Expose Loophole in TSA Full-Body Scanners
- Posted on March 7, 2012 at 11:51am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
Editor’s note: See updates below, including TSA response.
An American blogger has published a video purporting to show just how easily the Transportation Security Administration’s full-body scanners can be duped.
Jonathan Corbett — whose blog “TSA Out of Our Pants!” says he’s currently suing TSA over the use of the machines — claims in his video the scanners can be fooled by a metal object placed on the side of an individual because the shadow cast is the same color as the dark background on scan image.
(Image source: YouTube)
In the video image above, Corbett says, dark metal objects on the front or back of the body show up easily when contrasted with the white image of a person being scanned.
(Image source: YouTube)
But in this image, Corbett says, a dark image on the side of the body easily blends into the background.
“The TSA can’t be that stupid, can they?” he asks in the video. “Unfortunately, they can, and they are.”
To test the theory, Corbett’s video shows him sewing a side pocket into his clothing in which to carry a small metal case. The video then shows him, by way of a hidden camera in his luggage, approaching two different TSA checkpoints and then emerging on the other side with the case, apparently undetected. Because the camera went through a separate scanner in Corbett’s luggage, it does not actually show him walking through the full-body scanner with the case.
Corbett's camera appears to show the case in his pocket before he goes through the scanner. (Image source: YouTube)
Corbett shows off the case after apparently walking through the checkpoint. (Image source: YouTube)
“While I carried the metal case empty…it could easily have been filled with razor blades, explosives, or one of Charlie Sheen’s infamous 7 gram rocks of cocaine,” Corbett says afterward. “With a bigger pocket, perhaps sewn on the inside of the shirt, even a firearm could get through.”
Corbett’s blog states he provided the TSA with an advance copy of the video before posting it online.
Since being posted to YouTube on Monday, the video had received more than 200,000 views by Wednesday afternoon. It was also age-restricted by YouTube, requiring viewers to confirm they are 18 years of age or older before being allowed to watch it.
A request for comment from the TSA was not immediately returned.
Update: Corbett discussed his video Wednesday morning with Paul Westcott of WGIR-AM. Listen below:
Update II: TSA spokesman Greg Soule emailed The Blaze with the following response:
The video is a crude attempt to allegedly show how to circumvent TSA screening procedures. For obvious security reasons, we can’t discuss our technology’s detection capability in detail, however TSA conducts extensive testing of all screening technologies in the laboratory and at airports prior to rolling them out the field. Imaging technology has caught many items large and small, and is one of the most effective tools available to detect metallic and non-metallic items, such as the greatest threat to aviation, explosives.
TSA deploys a layered, risk-based approach to security through screening technologies and applying intelligence to our security measures in real time. Our nations’ aviation system is safer now with the deployment of 600 imaging technology units at 140 airports. It is completely safe and the vast majority use a generic image that completely addresses privacy concerns.
A similar explanation was posted on the TSA’s blog.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 694 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 662 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 525 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 356 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 247 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 235 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (111)
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:56pmYou don’t hear of El Al planes getting hijacked or blown up… and yet they don’t grope the passengers or irradiate them with scanners.
Report Post »McFixit1
Posted on May 12, 2012 at 1:41pmThis reporter reminds me of a 3 year old shouting Mommy Mommy Look how smart I am and has jeopardized the system and shown every wanna be terrorist how to defeat it until the corrective measures are put in place making it more inconvenient for travelers and much less safe.
Report Post »junior1971
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:07pmHas he disappeared yet?
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:06pmThat’s precisely why we need a couple huge asteroids to hit earth.
Report Post »wdittgasn
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:50pmTimmy, guess what , that will happen, the name of the asteroid is called wormwood, REV8:10-11………P.S……say hello to stan and kyle eric and kenny for me.
Report Post »bakagami
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 6:30pmLets hope Osama Bin Laden doesn’t know show tunes!
Report Post »keepyourpower
Posted on May 12, 2012 at 12:54amWdittgasn…couldn’t that be a nuclear reactor or a nuclear bomb that turned the waters bitter and killed many? If so…then look to Fukushima…it is supposed to kill everyone in the Northern Hemisphere.
Report Post »NoNannyState4me
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:53pmAll approved by all the candidates running for office, so don’t expect ANY changes for the better.
All except one of course, but most here on the Blaze thinks he’s crazy for wanting civil liberties.
nocommie
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:59pmThis is no more than a power play by the obama clowns to degrade you and me.Fight back people
Bluebonnet
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:14pmProfile, profile, profile; use Israel methods. You won’t exactly lose money on me, but I’ve vowed not to fly again until TSA comes to their senses and stop harassing the wrong people and letting those who look like our enemy whisk right though. Yeah, I understand someone could slip through, but how many of the enemy have been allowed to slipped through, just checking out the TSA?
Plenty have slipped by, I bet, because they only want to harass us and they’re afraid to show any suspicions toward those who would fit the profile. Kinda like we’re afraid to stop someone who looks like an illegal………damit, if they’re illegal, they need to be questioned. COMMON SENSE!
Report Post »Kinda like, turn on your own and welcome our enemy with open arms.
wdittgasn
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:52pmThere are many congressmen and women that are heavily invested in the companies that make these scanners. so they will only go if it no longer profits them.
Report Post »EndTheFedNOW
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:56pmThe former head of the DHS has made billions of the body scanners. Thats it what most of this is about. The military industerial complex. But its also about training the American people to be slaves. I feel sorry for you people who dont think the are setting up a NWO.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 3:44pmCORRECT!!!
A friend and I discussed exactly this when the scanners were first implemented.
Report Post »We decided amongst ourselves, that SURELY they were getting 3D images, but we were only being shown a sample image of a frontal profile. If they are relying on this single profile, then it is almost as worthless as obama’s buddy ben bernanke has made the American dollar, propping up this house of cards.
canadianlady
Posted on May 27, 2012 at 1:54pmYou’re right about that. All Obama’s buddies are into making these machines. There‘s no way they’ll end their cash cow now. People should be outraged. I am, that’s for sure. This is an unncesssary invasion of privacy.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:47pmQuestion: What is the end run purpose of TSA? I watch the TSA people at airports and many of them just hang around in groups and socialize, then walk around some, and come back and socialize. Affirmative action at its finest.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »loveoursoldiers
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 4:56pmI was made to stand in a scanner in Raleigh in 2009 ( before groping and before they used generic images) as they scanned me over and over again. Supposedly they saw someting in my left pocket.. then right pocket.. there was nothing there. I had a feeling they were ogling my body.. in particular those items men like to ogle
Report Post »Unfortunately I had a total knee replacement. and so I ALWAYS have to be groped or scanned. Talk about women’s rights? Our rights ( and men’s also) to privacy have been taken away by the gov’t. via the TSA.
You can be sure there is no groping of Muslim women.
I did speak out at the time.. I said” hey.. what’s going on?” I said I know this scanner strips you naked. The women TSA person at the scanner talking to the pervert in the back room via a headset said to me.” Ma‘am they don’t make you naked.. they just show an outline” Yeah sure. I knew she was lying. Then she said” if I had to look at naked bodies all day i wouldn’t be doing this job.” But she wasn’t the one seeing my naked image. Talk about lying! Where is the ACLU on this issue?
One of the problems is that many people say.. “well.. that is a small price to pay for safety”. HA like scanning people who have prosthetic hips and knees due to arthritis will make flying safe.!
Plus people who say that have not been subject to this yet and would change their tune if they did.
justangry
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 11:21pmYour experience is what I fear most for my daughter. I could care less if someone wanted to ogle my old ugly self, but I do care great deal about her. This is not the country I to love, but I’m lost when it comes to a solution. Seems the first step would be to liberate the press, which is easier said than done.
Report Post »chrisad
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:55amHaven’t you been listening!!! The purpose of the TSA is NOT for your security. The security is pathetic. The purpose is to get you trained. They need you to slowly become accustomed to their control. Americans will not become slaves overnight. They have to lull you into it. “Just for your security of course, that‘s all we’re concerned with, just your security”.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on May 10, 2012 at 7:10amI fear for my son, who is special needs. If he refused to go through a scanner and had to be groped, he’s strong and would resist someone grabbing his crotch. He’d be roughed up and arrested for not understanding. Actually he understands perfectly: no one is supposed to grab him there but his doctor.
Report Post »jim
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:39pmEasy to see if you had 3-6 guys with “parts” of an illicit device pasted to their sides, like shown here, they could easily smuggle aboard… a single device, then re-assemble it on the plane. I hope to God TSA has thought of this. Weren’t there multiple terrorists on board Flight 91, and the like, during the 911 attacks?
Report Post »jagr1850
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:37pmthe tsa has failed to catch one terrorist in over ten years…….a cave man could even catch one terrorist in ten years !!!!!
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:16pmIs this a Geico ad?
Report Post »siralien
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:31pmTSA will slow down the scanning process and scan everyone twice, front/back and side/side.
Report Post »ContinentalArmy
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:08pmAll of these: TSA;DOJ;FBI,ETC.;ETC….. Are nothing more than Obama’s Gestapo, and now add FEMA to that list as well!!!!
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:15pmObama’s? Those belonged to Bush before him. Both parties are guilty, equally. And only ONE candidate running in 2012 has vowed to abolish ANY of these agencies.
Report Post »texasoysterman
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:22pm@TEXAS CHRIS
Yeah, maybe so. And that ONE candidate will become president when pigs have to request clearance from the tower to take off.
Report Post »Don’t waste your vote.
Rowgue
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:07pmThere were tons of reports about how crappy these scanners actually were back when they were first put in place. This isn’t really news.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:03pmTSA’s new motto. “There’s a party in your pants, and we’re invited… whether you like it or not.”
Report Post »McNamara
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:30pmI thought it was either: “Don’t worry, our hands are still warm from the last guy“ or ”If we did our job any better, we’d have to buy you dinner first.”
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:58pmMCNAMARA. Lol.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:23pmI don’t think the TSA is doing a thorough job. Maybe we should all demand cavity searchs – how else can they be sure? /sark off
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 6:48pmlmao Time2
Report Post »LibertyAtStake
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:56pmOutsource airport security to the Israelis immediately.
d(^_^)b
Report Post »http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
“Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive”
Texas Chris
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:14pmWho protects your property? You, the owner.
Who should protect the airline’s property? The airline, the owner.
They have the incentive to protect their billin doallr asset, the plane, and their insurance carriers have the incentive to see that the passengers are protected, or they won’t cover the flight.
Ahhhh, capitalism.
Report Post »Turin
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:54pmBah, it was never about safety to begin with.
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:22pmSad but true. It was safety theater, and pocket padding for crony capitalists.
Report Post »RevelantRaider
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:48pmIt seems time for many good and couragous men and women to refuse to be naked or groped before our government. Does anyone else come to the same conclusion?
I see nothing in the United States Constitution or my own state constitution that would allow anyone the right to scan my naked body, neither through technology nor through perverted hands.
How does it make you feel to be degenerated and invaded by those given the charge to protect us?
Let it go no further—”LEAVE MY JUNK ALONE!!!”
Report Post »jzs
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:08pmTell that to the victims of 9-11
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:21pmThe victims of 9/11? You mean when we had ariline security provided by the government that allowed terrorists on planes with weapons, but disrmed pilots and passenegers and instructed everyone to always obey hijackers?
Really? 9/11 is your response?
9/11 was “Government Security Failure Day” and 3,000 people died to prove the point. Government has no incentive to protect you, and all the incentive to let some of us get killed every so often, so we will BEG them to come and protect us. Their failure increases their power over us through fear.
Otherwise know as terrorism.
Arlines are the best incentivized to protect their assets, as well as their passengers. Period. 9/11 proved that, and Americans have had 10 years to figure it out. There is no excuse at this point.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:11pmTEXAS CHRIS Awww now Chris don‘t be so hard on ole jzs there he’s just fine letting the government strip him of his fourth amendment right,problem is the rest of us unwilling to be slaves to government have our rights violated by these brown shirts on a daily basis.TSA isn‘t here to ’protect‘ us it’s here to intimidate and control law abiding citizens and should have never been created because it’s blatantly unconstitutional.But hey the constitution has been eviscerated by progressives for over a century and the TSA is just another example of government run amok.ABOLISH TSA NOW.
Report Post »Razorhunters
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:34pmstill waiting on how the cavemen were able to shut down norad…our air defense…our ground defense.
Report Post »Buck Shane
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 5:39pm@ jzs
Some might think you want the TSA in your pants because that’s the only sexual contact you get. but not me.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 8:58pmThe measures in place now would, at least, prevent another 9-11 style attack as well as find other substances or devices that could be used to put an airplane into the ground or in the ocean.
I don’t think you guys travel much if at all. Especially not overseas. Let me tell you I get groped by my female PA at least once a year during my annual physical. And another time at my company physical. And you know what? It doesn’t bother me a bit. I guess I don’t have any weird hang-ups about someone looking out for my health touching my body.
Honestly, being a person who travels and travels overseas, they can grope me all they want and I don’t blink at that any more than when my doctor does. And it‘s okay if they give me the third degree about where I’m from, where I’m going, where I’m staying or whatever else they want to ask. I’ve been through that, been a bit taken aback, but am happy they do it.
I don’t care about any of that. I just don‘t want a plane I’m on to be blown up in mid-air.
Report Post »Pat Magroin
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:40pmMy guess is that the supplier of the full body scanners is somehow connected to the Bamster.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:51pmHis name is Michael Chertoff.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/full-body-scanner-lobby-michael-chertoff-rapiscan-2552674.html
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:23pmChertoff and Giulianni. So it goes back to Bush.
However, Obama has had 3 years to dismantle the TSA, but he’s a Marxist, so he stays in it for the power.
God bless Ron Paul for wanting to abolish this evil agency, adn many others.
Report Post »deloclem
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 1:47pmOf course they’re connected and I would be willing to bet that the majority of politicians in DC own stock in the body scanner companies.
Report Post »Razorhunters
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 2:32pm2 headed snake.
r and d …same thing different approach
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 11:24pm@TEXAS
These things have nothing to do with bush. Chertoff recommended the scanners to homeland security in his capacity as a representative of his own security consulting company. That didn’t happen until well after obama was in office and chertoff was not.
He’s just another clown using his reputation in an opportunity to make a buck providing a useless product with a demand propped up by the irrational fears of morons that have been duped into being scared. He’s just following the blueprint laid out by al gore with the whole global warming scare and the carbon credits scam.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:33pmYes, MARCI – the body scanners were heavily invested in by Soros – I found that out when I was researching when they first came out. SNOW – yes — it’s just another “sinister plot” nudging us all into their bigger plans about expanding it for more control — at malls, everywhere. All under the guise of keeping us safer. Yes indeed, fear/ignorance/apathy/immorality — can’t have that and continue on as a successful democratic republic & the Founders were very worried about that.
Report Post »Kankokage
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:26pmI tend to think that the scanners have nothing to do with security. Instead, I think they were instituted as a conditioning tool. Well done, Jonathan.
Report Post »Razorhunters
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:23pmit is about the radiation and control , people.
was never about safety.
search on the radiation…prove me wrong.
Report Post »search on the control…more and more rules everyday…prove me wrong.
Madison2012
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:16pmTSA New Guideline: Passengers will be exposed TWICE. Once parallel to scanner and once 90 degrees. Problem Solved. —– Thanks alot
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:11pmThese machines are just being used for the sake of control and intimidation by the TSA aka Thugs Incorporated; this group of domestic government intimidators/KGB agents are being used as a back door means of intimidation, power expansion and ‘conditioning’ of the US people for ultimate control and power.
Report Post »ianmc002
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:03pmTSA=taxpayer funded JOKE
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:01pmI am appalled at the ignorance of the average American citizen who would allow these porno scanners to be used against them.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 12:15pmFear is more powerful and addictive than any of the drugs the loyalists are worried about RP legalizing. Fortunately for us, so is freedom. We’ll win eventually. In our minds we’re already free. The only thing they can do is kill us which will only help our cause.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 11:59amThe body scanners were never intended to catch anything more than they could catch with the original walk-thrus. It was designed to line the pockets of those who invested heavily in them. (Soros for one)
Report Post »