Biometric Identifiers:   Security v. Privacy

As biometric identifiers are adopted to comply with looming US and international security requirements, it seems unlikely that this new technology will remain restricted to the field of cross-border travel. Biometric systems take digital measurements of features such as fingerprints and facial and retinal characteristics and store the data on a machine-readable strip for later comparison with the subject asserting his/her identity. As noted in a recent article in The New York Times, by October 2004, visas and other travel documents issued by the US must employ body-identifying technologies.   And, subject to some exceptions, the 27 countries whose citizens can now travel to the US without visas must begin to issue passports with biometric data.   In a reciprocal move, the US itself will move towards full implementation of biometric passports by 2006. Because biometric identifiers will soon be pervasive in the sphere of international travel, an interesting question arises whether their use will become more easily accepted in the private sector in North America and Europe, especially in banking and other sub-sectors in which identity is perceived to be of critical commercial importance. According to a survey conducted by the US Federal Trade Commission, last year alone nearly 10 million Americans were the victims of identity or account theft. Identity cards including biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and photographs may help reduce this type of theft. For a copy of the FTC survey, visit: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/09/synovatereport.pdf. For further background information on the US travel regulations, see: http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwh20030520a8.html. For commentary on the procurement plans of the US Department of Homeland Security program, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y22C14106. Summary by: Sue Diaz