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Biometric Applications Trade Freedom for a False Sense of Security.

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The United States government has become quite enamored with the thought of biometric applications especially with the security concerns that have dominated the national scene since the terrorist attacks of September 11.

Bush made the sharing and application of biometric technology across agencies a priority (in 2008) before he left office. Facial recognition data was supposed to begin to be used in all new passports and visas as of 2005.

The use these applications has spread beyond the government as well.

Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Florida, utilized facial recognition software in order to scan the crowd for potential terrorists and criminal suspects; nineteen people with outstanding warrants were apprehended.

Security systems for private applications like personal computers and personal safes have begun to use fingerprint technology to insure only the proper owner gains entry.

Schools in the United Kingdom have begun using fingerprints to access pre-paid meal accounts for students.

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Olympics

People visiting Australia may very well have to submit to biometric authentication to link them to their passport/ visas in order to gain entry to the country (Australian Immigration has already begun collecting biometric data).

Brazilian citizens are issued ID cards which contain fingerprints as well as other information for increased security and identification purposes; they are also amongst the first to utilize biometrics in their passports and are compiling a database of fingerprints.

The German government has really grasped onto the thought of biometric applications having approved a government plan to issue E-cards to all their citizens containing a digital picture and fingerprints.

Through biometrics, governments worldwide may very well be able to track people anywhere and at anytime.

The German government has even begun using biometric applications where their Olympic athletes are concerned. After the attacks surrounding the Munich games in 1972 any security measures would be understandable.

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Protests Against Biometrics Applications

Upon registering, the athletes and any necessary personnel will be fingerprinted and then issued ID cards which will allow them access to the German house.

In Germany, some citizens have protested the increase use of biometrics by the government. The group Chaos Computer Club published a copy of the German Minister of the Interior’s fingerprint along with a film that could be used in order to fool machines.

Controversy is sure to erupt if the U.S. Senate passes some of the legislation that is being discussed. Fingerprinted ID cards are already in use by many government agencies and employees.

The security concerns for many of the tasks the people / agencies are involved in warrant the increased security consideration. Where the controversy and protests are sure to come is if the Senate passes legislation allowing illegal immigrants to receive citizenship.

The catch to the law- to receive citizenship the person will have to agree to have a biometric ID card. Civil liberty lawyers and advocates as well as Big Brother conspiracy theorists are sure to have a field day if this work is approved.

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