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Germany rejects full-body scanners at airports

Germany says it will not introduce much-criticized new full-body scanners at its airports even if their use is approved by the European Union.
/ Source: The Associated Press

Germany says it will not introduce much-criticized new full-body scanners at its airports even if their use is approved by the European Union.

Interior Ministry spokesman Gabriele Hermani said on Friday that "we won't join in with this nonsense."

The scanners — which produce an outline of passengers' bodies beneath their clothes — have been tested at airports in Britain and the Netherlands but are opposed in much of Europe.

EU lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Thursday for further studies before authorizing them.

German politicians across the political spectrum have denounced the scanners as an unnecessary invasion of privacy.

Supporters say the scanners can detect concealed objects such as liquids or plastic weapons that metal detectors miss.