'Privates' Privacy Clothing Proves Effective in Real-world Tests

It's official: Privates privacy-enhanced clothing is protecting passengers' privacy from the prying eyes of the TSA, which has been using advanced imaging technology and enhanced pat-down techniques to make air passengers squirm since October 2010. And wearing Privates may also help protect your health: The specially-designed underwear may help shield your body's most sensitive tissues from harmful scanner radiation.

The stalwart travelers who signed up for the Privates Alpha test group have experienced great success with the first batch of Privates underwear.

No issues have been reported with Privates testers going through the metal detector or enhanced body scanner at airports nationwide. The passengers' privacy is protected. And since Privates are treated with a specialized mix of metallic inks and other materials, they don't trigger metal detectors or prompt enhanced pat-downs from TSA officials. 

"We are excited to see proof that this technology works in the real world," said Chris Lindland, a product developer at Betabrand, the clothing innovator that helped create Privates. 

In addition to improved privacy, Privates may save your private areas from harmful radiation. Since TSA stepped up its screening procedures, countless reports have been released that question the safety of the enhanced imaging technology. TSA officials are dragging their feet to release scanner safety reports; in the meantime, it's up to individual passengers to ensure their own safety. 

"We are also looking at how these might reduce exposure to body scanner radiation, because so much concern has been raised over the health effects of these scanners," said Stephen Russell, security and privacy expert, founder of In Hard Focus and the designer of Privates. "The Privates 'interference pattern' works by reflecting and absorbing a greater percentage of the radiation emitted. This should, in the end, help protect a passenger." 

Want to learn more about Privates? Visit the official Betabrand Privates site. And there's still time to become a Test Pilot in the Privates Alpha group!