Enhanced federal IDs could spark biometrics boom

[Algorem]

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060830/LIFESTYLE06/608300317/1046

By Griff Witte
Times/ Post News Service

The technology has been the stuff of movies for years: A secret agent runs his fingertip and an encrypted ID card over a pair of sensors. There's a match, and the door swings open.

In the coming months, a wave of government initiatives could start making such high-tech methods of identification commonplace — beginning with the replacement this fall of federal employee IDs. Similar cards are planned for transportation workers, first responders and visitors to the United States.

Packed with biometric data such as fingerprints and containing a computer chip with room to expand the amount of information stored, the new IDs represent a potential boon to technology companies eyeing an estimated $8 billion in identity-related contracts. Firms such as BearingPoint Inc. and Lockheed Martin Corp. have set up showcase identity labs, pulling technology from different companies into turnkey operations. Hundreds of smaller companies, down to manufacturers of plastic cards, are vying for part of the market.

The biggest business opportunity still looms: Driver's licenses, which are due for a retooling under new federal laws...

[grasswire]

1. this will be the downfall of democracy

When dissent is criminalized, biometrics will be the net.

[Gman]

2. “We think it's a terrific area of opportunity,”

said Gordon Hannah, who leads BearingPoint's efforts to win identity contracts.

That says everything about this. This has nothing to do with security and everything to do with the corporate state.

[david_vincent]

3. yeah, there's plenty of money to be made

chiseling away at the Bill of Rights.

on edit: actually, I think (and hope) that huge numbers of Christians will reject this kind of thing and refuse to carry such IDs, regarding them as the "mark of the devil". If enough Christians put up resistance then the whole national ID scheme will fail. An alternative would see national IDs implemented only partially throughout the populace, thereby fracturing and dividing the nation even further as corporate and government types and congenital sheep buy into the idea and the rest of the country refuses to go along with it. Of course, only those who carry these IDs will be allowed to hold public office.

[bobthedrummer]

4. Here are some background links about the r&d behind this technology.

RFID
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2008340,00.asp?kc=EWENTEMNL082506EOAD

http://wistechnology.com/article.php?id=2044

US and USSR R&D during the Cold War
http://mindjustice.org/book_frameset.htm

Relationship to Nonlethal and Directed Energy Weapons (note that Lockheed Martin and other defense industry businesses are where this comes from)
http://www.defense-update.com/features/du-1-05/NLW-DEW.htm

Acronymns are useful to determine what fields of research were involved
http://library.nps.navy.mil/home/bibs/dewacro.htm

[MADem]

5. Well, we cannot be Luddites about this--we just have to be aggressive

with regard to deployment of the technology. Frankly, having worked in very high security facilities over the years, there's nothing more of a pain in the ass than to have ambled down a half mile of corridor only to realize your 'swipe card' is on your desk next to your coffee cup. Or worse, to have driven for an hour only to realize your card is at HOME. A fingerprint, which the bastards have on file anyway, to open a door would be a convenience. And unless some bum cut your finger off, it's you going in that door. That's the useful aspect of the technology. Other uses can, I acknowledge, be regarded as intrusive.

The RFID chips are a different kettle of fish. I don't like that MINORITY REPORT future, with signs that soeak to you and say "Gee, I see you're wearing that ratty underwear you bought a year and a half ago...TARGET is having a sale, you oughta go buy some new drawers!"

I also see as a concern the concept of "TOO MUCH INFORMATION." Just because there is space to store information does NOT mean that one must fill that space.

It's an issue that deserves a good airing in public forums, with open debate, back and forth discussion, pros and cons all laid out.

[Bamboo]

6. Don't Fight,Be Nice,Get Along,I'm Here to Help.Credit declined-Security!

Disney World is installing scanners now which read your actual fingerprint.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/news21/20060901/ts_news21/walt_disney_world_the_governments

When I hear the phrase "tipping point" in a discussion I know it is already past the point of no return.When a stock broker says buy it means sell to the people who are late to the game.I am glad they check my receipt at the warehouse club because it makes me check it in advance before they can make a claim.I have saved money because they made mistakes which I correct.

Americans trust the marketplace because they are materialistic hedonists that want inside the magic kingdom.On talk radio the shows are capitalistic then the ads want me to trust the product claims which is absurdity.This technology should serve as cold water to the face that you are the enemy and they are the opponent.