Anger is rising in the United States as travelers are forced to endure pat-downs and full-body scanning at airports allegedly for their safety.
The growing backlash was provoked after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) left travelers with three options — to undergo either a potentially invasive pat-down, a full-body scanner or not to fly at all, CNN reported.
In body scanning, the naked bodies of passengers are shown while in the pat-down search, passengers’ genitals and other body parts come under scrutiny.
US President Barack Obama told reporters on Saturday that he supported the new controversial screening measures but admitted that balancing travelers’ rights and their security was a “tough situation”.
Last week, an annoyed San Diego airline passenger refused a pat-down from a TSA worker and the ensuing clash spawned several T-shirt designs with his “Don’t touch my junk” quip.
Additionally, “National Opt Out Day” is being organized to boycott the policy on November 24, the busiest travel day of the year for Americans.
About 1,000 full body scanners are expected to be in place in the US airports by the end of 2011.