Issue: Personal Liberty: biometric ID cards

[SeanEdwards]

I thought about this after 9/11. My immediate reaction was to think that there was a great business opportunity for an airline company to offer essentially a member's only service. Customers of this airline would voluntarily submit to a background check, and would accept as tamper-proof of a biometric identifying system as could be developed.

In return, these customers would be spared the onerous security checks that everyone goes through now, and they'd also have the reassurance of knowing that all their fellow passengers have been checked out, and that none of them recently returned from a trip to jihadi camp.

So the poll question is:

Would you accept a biometric ID system if it offered you some perceived benefit?

 

[SwordOfShannarah]

NO!!!

 

[Razmear]

I don't even want a picture on my drivers license.

 

[Tsoman]

...and then the engines fail midflight


Seriously, if they are going to invest in something safety related, I'd rather see safer aircraft, better maintenance, and more mechanic training.

This is actually a good metaphor for our whole country.

 

[thuja]

I don't even want a picture on my drivers license.

neither do I. I do not want any of this sort of thing. Don't be ridiculous.
microchips cause cancer. look that uop at pub med. type in sarcoma microchips.

 

[Bradley in DC]

The picture on your driver's license is a biometric ID

 

[Razmear]

The picture on your driver's license is a biometric ID

Yes, but because my birthday is in January I always have my winter beard in full growth when they take my picture.

 

[ShaneC]

I'm highly opposed to a national government issued/mandated ID card.

as for this line:

...only a private voluntary one. No government ID.

I'd go for that. Not so much that I *want* one, but ID cards for Access Control Systems are something I deal with on a fairly common basis my line of work - so I'd accept one, provided I knew how and why it was implemented and what that was tied to.

Biometric ID's in and of themselves are not a bad thing persay, its a matter of how they're used and implemented, as well as how the data itself is stored and interpreted.

 

[ShaneC]

Oh, some (personal) notes, opinions, and examples

1. I was one of those individuals whose records were "stolen/lost" when the Vetrans Affairs office "misplaced" those records. Don't trust the government to hold anything of yours securely.

2. Implementing Biometric ID's via RFID = very bad thing. Most RFID can be read at a distance.

3. Using Biometric ID's:

3a. Only if using a Contact or Insertion type reader - where a physical chip must be read - no broadcasting and no way to remotely pick up the data.

3b. Provided it's a contact based Biometric ID, I would only consent to those if the CARD READER compared the data you give at the reader directly against the data on the card without actually reporting and logging the personal info.

4. NO DISTRIBUTED DATABASES. No matter how secure it is, there is ALWAYS a way around it.

Based on my current knowledge, the following example meets my personal criteria for a "secure biometric card system". Is it secure? Yes. Could it be defeated? Not easily - provided all tamper systems are used in conjunction with it - But I'm not going to say its unbeatable either. Theoretically, someone could tamper with the reader itself and still manage to copy the data in someway.

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Example:

Lets say the ID card stores a hand geometry reading. The reader itself must only be capable of processing the comparison of the current scan vs the values stored on the card and simply transmit an Identification Number to the head end system to say that they matched.

So - I take my card, I insert that into the reader - preform the scan - the reader compares the data, determines a match and sends my card ID # "123456" to the Head End. The headend then looks for "123456" in the database. If I exist in the database - the system simply reports "Access Granted for [name]". Or "Access Denied, Card 123456; Invalid Card"

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In this scenario, all criteria must be met, but the only transmitted data is that Card ID #. No personal data is exchanged, only data values are compared, and no biometric data is actually transmitted or stored.

I believe that to be the core fundamentals of keeping a system of this nature secure.

 

[princessredtights]

I just read an article this weekend about biometrics being used in Iraq.

Personally, I think "they" are testing it there before they bring it "here" ... this isn't the original article I read but similar - I'll see if I can find a link to the article I read


http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...om-defensive-to-offensive-uses-in-iraq-03402/


Here's the original story I read

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-07-12-database-inside_N.htm?csp=34

 

[MikeStanart]

Where is the "Only if you kill me first" option?

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

I thought about this after 9/11. My immediate reaction was to think that there was a great business opportunity for an airline company to offer essentially a member's only service. Customers of this airline would voluntarily submit to a background check, and would accept as tamper-proof of a biometric identifying system as could be developed.

In return, these customers would be spared the onerous security checks that everyone goes through now, and they'd also have the reassurance of knowing that all their fellow passengers have been checked out, and that none of them recently returned from a trip to jihadi camp.

So the poll question is:

Would you accept a biometric ID system if it offered you some perceived benefit?

If I flew often..yes

I don't ever fly, so why would I?

NO

 

[SeanEdwards]

Ok, so do all the people who voted no, not have driver's licenses?

Because, if you have a driver's license, you've accepted a biometric ID card.

 

[thuja]

Are you trying to convince us that this is a wonderful thing? why?
I do not want any, thanks. I am already sufficiently identified.

 

[thuja]

If I flew often..yes

I don't ever fly, so why would I?

NO

I do not ever fly either, and never will again, except in a private plane maybe. I will never go into one of those wallmart air prisons.

 

[freelance]

Where is the "Only if you kill me first" option?

EXACTLY!

I do not ever fly either, and never will again, except in a private plane maybe. I will never go into one of those wallmart air prisons.

Many years ago, I used to be a flight attendant, and I enjoyed jetting around the world--shopping in Rome, dinner in Paris, etc. I have not flown since 911 and my next flight will be the one that carries me OUT OF THIS COUNTRY FOREVER!

I really hate to be so wishy-washy about something this important.

 

[Man from La Mancha]

If no one here has used a grocery card for discounts or pay for anything by debit or credit card I'm not refereeing to you but the other 99% you have already accepted the use of identifying data to your selfs. So based on that assumption, yes it would be handy to use your fingerprint so one doesn't have to carry any card or have a chip implanted. It's funny to me that most on this poll won't use a private way to identify themselves but most do any way with a plastic card that is readily attached to the ATM cameras. I would just want it made a severe crime to share this info especially with any government agency.

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Ok, so do all the people who voted no, not have driver's licenses?

Because, if you have a driver's license, you've accepted a biometric ID card.

Any license of any kind is against my beliefs unless it's voluntary.

 

[ShaneC]

Are you trying to convince us that this is a wonderful thing? why?
I do not want any, thanks. I am already sufficiently identified.

If that was directed at my post, then no, not trying to convince anyone of anything.

I'm simply giving my opinion on what I feel the basic criteria that needs to be met for me to voluntarily accept one.

 

[split_lipz]

Where's the option for "Hell no!!!"