LONDON, England - January 4, 2010 - It has been said that terrorism is a zero-sum game. But try telling that to the manufacturers of three dimensional body scanners, the use of which at airports worldwide is set to soar after the report of an alleged and unconfirmed failed terrorist attack.

In the United Kingdom, however, a proposed gradual introduction of devices that take nude photos of their subjects has run afoul of child pornography law, according to British newspaper The Guardian.

"Ministers now face having to exempt those under 18 from the scans or face the delays of introducing new legislation to ensure airport security staff do not commit offenses under child pornography laws," a Monday report reads.

"A 12-month trial at Manchester airport of scanners (that) reveal naked images of passengers including their genitalia and breast enlargements, only went ahead last month after under-18s were exempted," it continued.

The high-tech body scanners can detect hidden objects, such as explosives, even when they are concealed by clothing, unlike the metal detectors passengers walk through in airports worldwide to access flight gates.