The Hill News

Distribution of the body images produced by airport scanners should be illegal, according to Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.).

"Anyone who would try to use these images for purposes other than security should be severely punished," Schumer told The Associated Press.

The Democrat introduced legislation this weekend that would create penalties of up to a year in prison and fines of up to $100,000, or both, for distributing the images, which are produced at the Transportation Security Administration airport checkpoints. 

The TSA maintains that the full-body images aren't stored on its Advanced Imaging Technology scanners and that its officers are prohibited from bringing cell phones and other electronics into the image viewing room. The images are also blurred to mask the subject's identity.

Airline passengers concerned about the scan can ask instead for a body search that includes pat-downs on the crotch and chest.

Privacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center say the machines are invasi! ve, but Schumer said he didn't want to limit their use.

"You need to balance security and privacy," he said.