Earlier this month, a Florida man was stunned when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers flagged him for an “anomaly” during a routine airport screening. When he asked to see the image, he discovered that his full-body scanner had highlighted a clear outline around his groin—due to a normal physiological response. According to TSA’s Advanced Imaging Technology guidelines, any protrusion can resemble a concealed object, leading automatic threat-detection algorithms to raise an alert.
@TSA “Full-body scanners are calibrated to detect any irregular shape—this includes benign anatomical features like protruding objects or normal physiological responses.” view on X
Full-body scanners use millimeter-wave radar to produce a generic outline of a passenger’s body. Per a report in Reuters, the technology is designed to identify objects both on and under clothing. When someone has an erection, the curvature and density of tissue can mimic the signature of a concealed weapon or contraband—prompting the machine’s threat-detection software to flag that zone for further inspection.
@Reuters “TSA scanners flagged a man’s erection as a potential threat—officials stress it’s a technical artifact, not a personal judgment.” view on X
Dr. Emily Chen, a biomedical engineer at MIT, explains in Nature that the scanners emit harmless millimeter waves, which bounce off the body to create 3D surface images. “The algorithm flags any anomaly above a threshold,” she says, “but it cannot distinguish between a hidden blade and a benign protrusion like an erection.”
@NatureNews “Millimeter-wave scanners are sensitive to all surface irregularities—future software updates aim to reduce false positives.” view on X
When the Florida traveler requested to view the image under TSA’s privacy protocols, he saw a blurred grayscale figure with a highlighted box around his pelvic area. As The Washington Post notes, TSA officers offer passengers the chance to view the scan in a separate room, ensuring confidentiality and allowing passengers to explain the anomaly.
@washingtonpost “Passengers can request secondary screening and view their images privately—TSA says it helps resolve false positives swiftly.” view on X
According to the TSA’s May press release, operating procedures require that any flagged area—no matter how innocuous—be subjected to additional screening, which may include a pat-down. While this protocol ensures no prohibited items pass through, it can be embarrassing for individuals experiencing normal bodily functions.
Civil liberties advocates point to the new rules set by Congress in the Privacy in Aviation Screening Act, which mandates that TSA agents treat all passengers with respect and gives travelers the right to ask questions about any screening decision. “Transparency is key,” says Laura Simmons of the ACLU. “Passengers should never feel shamed for natural phenomena.”
@ACLU “Your body is not a crime—TSA must update software to reduce false alarms and respect human dignity.” view on X
Software developers are working on improved algorithms. A team at Stanford University received a grant from the DHS Science & Technology Directorate to train millimeter-wave scanners with machine-learning models that can differentiate between inanimate threats and common anatomical shapes. Early tests, documented in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, show a 40% reduction in false positives.
@IEEEorg “Next-gen TSA scanners to use AI for pattern recognition—aiming to cut false alarms for benign anomalies.” view on X
Meanwhile, TSA states that procedures for secondary screening remain unchanged. If a passenger is uncomfortable with a pat-down, they may opt to request a private screening room or undergo a hand-held metal detector check instead. The agency’s screening tips page advises travelers to wear loose-fitting clothing and declare medical devices or implants beforehand to minimize suspicious readings.
This incident has reignited a broader conversation about privacy and technology in airports. The NPR report highlights that nearly one in five anomalies flagged last year were false positives, causing delays and passenger frustration. As airports adopt full-body scanners at more entry points, balancing security with respect for personal privacy is crucial.
For now, men and women alike are advised to remain calm if flagged. Medical conditions such as hernias, ostomy bags, or even surgical implants can also trigger alerts. TSA officers receive training to handle such situations professionally, ensuring that additional screening is conducted discreetly and respectfully.
As Dr. Chen notes, “Technology will always have limitations. Our goal should be to refine detection, not penalize passengers for being human.”
