Scanning 2.4 Billion Eyes, India Tries to Connect Poor to Growth

[xchrom]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/02/world/asia/02india.html?ref=world

KALDARI, India — Ankaji Bhai Gangar, a 49-year-old subsistence farmer, stood in line in this remote village until, for the first time in his life, he squinted into the soft glow of a computer screen.

His name, year of birth and address were recorded. A worker guided Mr. Gangar’s rough fingers to the glowing green surface of a scanner to record his fingerprints. He peered into an iris scanner shaped like binoculars that captured the unique patterns of his eyes.

With that, Mr. Gangar would be assigned a 12-digit number, the first official proof that he exists. He can use the number, along with a thumbprint, to identify himself anywhere in the country. It will allow him to gain access to welfare benefits, open a bank account or get a cellphone far from his home village, something that is still impossible for many people in India.

[okieinpain]

1. and so it begins. lol. i'm not doing it, fingerprint ok, but eye scan

nope.....

[zalinda]

2. Many poor people, especially in rural areas

may not have fingerprints that are easily scanned. Hard labor, harsh chemicals and sometimes even illness can make fingerprints disappear. Having both makes sense. Now, if they were taking DNA, then I'd be worried.

zalinda

[TheWraith]

3. Why would you be okay with one and not the other?

Fingerprints are far more personally identifiable than retinal scans.

[blkmusclmachine]

4. Mark of the Beast

n/t