Where should the Government Stand on Biometric Filing ? How Much is too Much Information?
What would you give up to feel safer ? If drawing blood was the procedure that was done before you entered into a specific contract, you might object- if the government had biometric records that could potentially reveal the same information about you, when it comes to your security, when is too much information on record too much?
Fingerprints, iris scans and facial recognition capturing systems are not as sci-fi as they were once considered. Now more of reality then ever, the government plans to use these technologies to "secure our borders." How far will Homeland Security go to make sure US citizens are "safe?"
Recently, the FBI announced they were compiling a huge database that will hold not only the fingerprints identification of citizens, foreign visitors, criminals and terrorists but iris scans, facial recognition and palm prints. The offer to see who will be up to the challenge to create such a database is now on the table.
It seems like a fantastic idea for more than just the FBI, the US police force and other security organizations could benefit from this type of technology. But many Americans feel very strongly against this idea, as if Big Brother is getting closer and closer to giving us all a bar code.
Ironically enough, many places already have some of this type of technology available to them. In several high tech bars in Las Vegas, a computer scans a person as they enter and information about who this regular is and their favorite drink can automatically be sent to the bartender- this type of technology seems anything less than excellent customer service- or is it plain creepy?
For many businesses’ biometric technology involves just another day on the job. High security offices, hi tech companies and other government agencies require facial recognition, iris scans or voice activation technologies to gain access into secure areas. Many laptop owners have a fingerprint scanner that acts as a key to turn access their laptop rather than a password.
The FBI’s new 1 billion dollar Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System will also hold tattoos and body scars besides your facial structure or a fingerprint identification system. All these little details are aimed at preventing terrorists and criminals from entering the US from land, air and sea borders. This information should sit well with most of us, but many people wonder about what else the government is up to with so much information.
It’s already known the FBI allows employers to search their database before hiring new employees- which some would argue may not be a bad idea for childcare workers, teachers or many government jobs.
Now, it seems it is Congress’s turn to decide what next steps the FBI will be able to take. Privacy advocates will no doubt have strong opinions about how much this new and spendy machine may encroach on citizen’s rights. In this circumstance, it will be interesting to see where citizen’s rights stand and what will be determined as privacy rights or government necessity.
About the author :
Melissa Peterman is a web content specialist for Innuity. For more information about fingerprint identification , go to Fulcrum Biometrics
Recently, the FBI announced they were compiling a huge database that will hold not only the fingerprints identification of citizens, foreign visitors, criminals and terrorists but iris scans, facial recognition and palm prints. The offer to see who will be up to the challenge to create such a database is now on the table.
It seems like a fantastic idea for more than just the FBI, the US police force and other security organizations could benefit from this type of technology. But many Americans feel very strongly against this idea, as if Big Brother is getting closer and closer to giving us all a bar code.
Ironically enough, many places already have some of this type of technology available to them. In several high tech bars in Las Vegas, a computer scans a person as they enter and information about who this regular is and their favorite drink can automatically be sent to the bartender- this type of technology seems anything less than excellent customer service- or is it plain creepy?
For many businesses’ biometric technology involves just another day on the job. High security offices, hi tech companies and other government agencies require facial recognition, iris scans or voice activation technologies to gain access into secure areas. Many laptop owners have a fingerprint scanner that acts as a key to turn access their laptop rather than a password.
The FBI’s new 1 billion dollar Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System will also hold tattoos and body scars besides your facial structure or a fingerprint identification system. All these little details are aimed at preventing terrorists and criminals from entering the US from land, air and sea borders. This information should sit well with most of us, but many people wonder about what else the government is up to with so much information.
It’s already known the FBI allows employers to search their database before hiring new employees- which some would argue may not be a bad idea for childcare workers, teachers or many government jobs.
Now, it seems it is Congress’s turn to decide what next steps the FBI will be able to take. Privacy advocates will no doubt have strong opinions about how much this new and spendy machine may encroach on citizen’s rights. In this circumstance, it will be interesting to see where citizen’s rights stand and what will be determined as privacy rights or government necessity.
About the author :
Melissa Peterman is a web content specialist for Innuity. For more information about fingerprint identification , go to Fulcrum Biometrics
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