Biometrics

[Fairlight]

When asked his whereabouts on Fri, Jun 04, 2004 at 05:03:44PM -0400,
Nancy Palmquist took the fifth, drank it, and then slurred:
> 
> The biometric thing does not keep a picture of your fingerprints, it
> translates the nature of your print into a unique number or code of
> somekind.  
> 
> I agree - how is that different than showing a picture ID?

I'd assume that to be reliable it must be the equivalent of a unique digital
signature--sort of like MD5 or SHA1 for fingerprint patterns.  If it's
indeed unique to each person, that could be construed as medical
information.

> A better way to identify people will improve security.  My plan would
> create an ID card with the biometrics recorded on the card.  You show
> the person the card, swipe it in a reader and put your finger on a
> scanner.  If the swipe matches the scan, you are who the card says you
> are.  They do not need to keep the information at all.

Congratulations on just reiterating a slew of sci-fi cliches.  :)

It's not the technicalities, it's the principle.  It's an invasion of
privacy, IMHO.  

> Do you want a picture ID to be the only way they can identify the
> person(s) with access to critical things such as aircraft, water
> supplies, medical labs, chemical plants, your 3 yr old at day care, etc.

It's worked for however long they've had picture ID's.  People are
overly paranoid nowadays.  The people they're trying to keep out aren't
going to be terribly -concerned- about biometric ID's and access.  The kind
of people they're trying to keep out are the type that will whip out a
gun, kill the guard, and use the corpse and ID to let themselves in.

If someone -really- wants in, they'll get in one way or another.  The old
saw is that a lock only keeps an honest man out.  It doesn't particularly
matter how complex the lock is--there's always a way if there's sufficient
will.

> It only matters that we are allowed to hold to our own data, not give it
> to others to hold for us.  That is when the abuse starts.

That's ironic, Nancy.  Have you familiarised yourself with HIPPA at all?
Wasn't part of the deal that the government would be the storage house for
all medical records?  it was either HIPPA itself, or it was closely-related
legislation.  It was also hotly contested.  I also believe the people lost
and the government won.  I'd have to look it up to confirm, but I recall
the huge debates and petition campaigns.  I know I signed one of the
petitions against it at the time.

mark->
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