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New software means less intrusive MSP body scans

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Aug 26, 2011 at 9:39 am

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Federal officials say upgraded software will mean faster and less intrusive security scanning for passengers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The system replaces one that gave Transportation Security Administration employees an X-ray view of air travelers' bodies. That prospect made some people uncomfortable and raised concerns about privacy.

Tom Connors, the TSA's security director for Minnesota, says the new security system only shows a generic computer-generated outline of a passenger's body. Any security concerns are indicated by a yellow box.

Connors tells Minnesota Public Radio News reports (http://bit.ly/pM3d5Z ) the upgraded imaging software should send passengers through airport security more quickly that the old system.

The TSA is spending nearly $3 million on the software upgrades at more than 40 U.S. airports.