EU nations to increase use of airport body scanners

The European Union's anti-terrorism chief says members of the EU should all introduce full-body scanners at airports to improve security.

Britain, the Netherlands, France and Italy announced plans to install the scanners at airports following the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt on a Northwest Airlines Jet. However, there is no EU-wide obligation to use the scanners. The European Parliament opposes their enforced introduction because of concerns over health, privacy and cost.

Gilles de Kerchove, the EU counter-terrorism coordinator, says the latest generation of scanners offer better privacy protection by blurring some body images. He also urged the European Parliament to complete negotiations with the United States on the sharing of passenger data to improve vetting procedures.