Here is where the nuance begins.
We are quick to label any assertive woman as a “Karen.” But sometimes, the person shouting is simply trying to protect their life-sustaining medical equipment. Let’s reserve judgment until we know whether the request was reasonable—and whether the business responded reasonably. als scan karen
The “ALS Scan Karen” Incident: When Security Theater Clashes with Medical Reality Here is where the nuance begins
Retailers argue that ALS (Advanced Location & Security) scanners reduce theft. Their policy is often “no scan, no entry.” From a loss prevention standpoint, exceptions create loopholes. The “ALS Scan Karen” Incident: When Security Theater
The woman claimed she had a surgically implanted medical device (e.g., an insulin pump, spinal cord stimulator, or deep brain stimulator). Many medical device manufacturers explicitly warn against active scanning systems, as the electromagnetic fields can cause malfunctions, reset devices, or deliver unintended shocks.
🔹 Train staff that “no scan, no entry” is illegal if applied to someone with a disability. Your script should be: “If you cannot use the scanner, we will need to perform a brief manual check. Is that acceptable?”
Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), retailers must provide “reasonable modifications” to their standard policies. For a person with a verifiable medical need to avoid an ALS scan, a reasonable modification would be a manual pat-down or an alternative screening method.