EU is divided on use of body scanners

EUROPEAN nations were sharply divided yesterday over the need to install full-body scanners at European airports, with some EU members playing down the need for beefed-up security measures.

But the EU indicated it may force nations to comply.

After meeting in Brussels yesterday, EU aviation security experts released a statement saying the EU Commission may issue a binding regulation on imaging technology to reinforce passenger security, while at the same time addressing the conditions for using such technology, such as privacy, data protection and health issues.