Thermal Cameras Show Too Much?

[The Northerner]

BOSTON (CBS) – A thermal imaging project in the city of Boston has been put on hold because of privacy concerns.

Boston officials had hoped to have aerial and street-level photos taken across about four square miles of the city this winter using infrared cameras that would show heat loss in the city homes.

Officials planned on sharing the photos and analysis with homeowners, and were hoping the findings would increase enrollment in efficiency programs and also create business opportunities.

But, the project hit a snag when the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts raised concerns that the infrared cameras would reveal information about what’s going on inside the homes. Sagewell’s cameras can take up to 20,000 images of homes per day.

Despite the concern, towns outside of Boston have not had any problems with the program. Utilities and environmental groups from Springfield and Hamilton are in the process of initiating the same project in their communities.

Source: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/04/11/thermal-cameras-show-too-much/

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Ehh, walls are too thick to provide ANY sort of through-wall resolution using a thermal image.

Unless a window were open and the drapes were closed, nothing hidden would be revealed. My guess is the opponents of this action have never looked at a house with a thermal image. It's not like an Xray or anything. You'd probably get more "private photographs" with a $10 disposable camera capturing voyeur scenes through open windows.

[Bandit]

2. I would imagine if you were growing pot it would be revealed.

It is a search without probable cause or warrant. That used to be at one time unconstitutional.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

3. You would have to have ALOT of grow lights and very little circulation.

even then, all you would see is a warm "room" or "window"
you wouldn't see any outlines of plants or lamps or anything