Biometrics Beyond Terrorism

NEW YORK - Since Sept. 11, 2001, biometrics technology has taken center stage in the global effort to secure borders and catch terrorists.

Government projects are finally getting the green light, and that means that measures like fingerprint scans, hand geometry and retina scans will soon become part of our everyday reality. As a result--and in spite of plenty of privacy concerns--the consumer market will soon see a flood of biometric applications.

"The big programs are getting funded and moving forward, and that's noteworthy because if everyone is getting face-scanned and fingerprinted at the airport, people are going to become more comfortable with the technology," says Raj Nanavati, a partner with the International Biometrics Group, a New York-based research outfit. "That's going to make it much easier for the business sector to use biometrics."

On June 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded the $10 billion contract to a consortium including Accenture (nyse: ACN - news - people ), Raytheon (nyse: RTN - news - people ), Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ) and AT&T (nyse: T - news - people ) for a system dubbed U.S. Visit. The project is charged with tracking visitors to the United States using biometric information such as fingerprints. Sometime in July, the U.S. Air Transportation Association will begin testing its Registered Traveler project. It will use technology from Unisys (nyse: UIS - news - people ) and Electronic Data Systems (nyse: EDS - news - people ) to let frequent fliers register their biometric information so that they can speed through airport security checks. Also underway is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program to distribute biometric credentials to all airport, rail and sea transportation employees.

A lot of money is being spent on national security, but "the commercial market will be just as critical to this industry," says Frost & Sullivan biometrics analyst Prianka Chopra. Frost & Sullivan says that while just $158 million was spent on the commercial biometrics market in 2002, that figure should jump to $2 billion in 2006.

Evidence of this trend is already emerging. Finger scans can now be used to securely access laptops and other electronics--like an NTT DoCoMo (nyse: DCM - news - people ) mobile phone--and even some Audi models that are now sold in Europe. The Caesar's Entertainment (nyse: CZR - news - people )-owned Caesar's Palace casino uses hand geometry--rather like a fingerprint of an entire hand--for employee security, and the Equinox Fitness chain's private gym E in New York City now uses a retinal scan to ensure certain exclusivity for its upscale clientele.

Now biometrics are moving beyond security even in the consumer arena. A start-up called Pay-By-Touch lets customers pay at retail locations with a wave of their index finger. It has one pilot underway at Blockbuster (nyse: BBI - news - people ), and another set for July at a handful of Piggly Wiggly supermarkets, a chain of 600 stores. Also in the works, it says, is a "major big-box retailer."

Shoppers sign up once, registering the image of their finger and any credit or checking accounts they wish to use. After a person is identified via Pay-By-Touch and its IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people )-hosted database, the electronic transaction proceeds as it normally does.

The Pay-By-Touch technology serves several purposes for merchants. Blockbuster stores using it saw transaction time cut by 34%, moving long lines faster at peak hours. It can also drive shoppers to choose cheaper payment methods, like debit cards instead of credit, to reduce transaction costs, says Caroline McNally, chief marketing officer at Pay-By-Touch. "People tend to use the first payment option on the menu presented to them. Credit card companies pay for that position."

Link

Pretty crazy stuff there...


Mr. M


[edit on 8-7-2004 by StarChild]

StarChild,

You never cease to amaze us with your never ending facts, stories and knowledge. Thanks for being a part of this community. The "Clearence's" forum you posted in was very informational.

Originally posted by cja252
StarChild,

You never cease to amaze us with your never ending facts, stories and knowledge. Thanks for being a part of this community. The "Clearence's" forum you posted in was very informational.

Well, thank you very much, indeed. I really appreciate that.


Mr. M

I hope we never see a wave of people getting there thumbs chopped off u to allow people steal money or whatever. They should make it like high security bases have it were it test the density of the finger and can tell if there is no blood in it because its been cut off. This might increase the taking of people hostage though to steal money like was the case with the NFL football player that had his mercedes stolen. The new mercedes are basically hot-wire proof so the thiefs just waited for him to come back to the car and stole the key from him at gun point. People will always find ways to robb other people these new wave security features might just make them more dangerous. I would rather have a criminal steal my credit card then take me hostage to take out money for him.

Very true, indeed. I foresee similar events such as what you have mentioned if this does indeed escalate to levels surpassing present expectations.

It's a shame that all of this is necessary in the first place. However, it is necessary. That is what people need to understand. Do I agree with the policies? Of course not.


Mr. M