Slashdot Mirror
Iris Scanners in Canadian Airports
Ian_Bailey writes "The Toronto Star is reporting that the first biometrics (Iris-scanning specifically) devices in airport will be in place in Toronto and Vancouver starting in March. These devices are meant to speed-up the check-in process for frequent travellers, without compromising security. It is stressed that privacy advocates have nothing to worry about, because they are completely voluntary and cannot be used to scan without a person's knowledge, but there is a brief note about using it in the future for staff."
As far as I know, schiphol airport has had irisscans for a while now. See for example this article
My friend contracted an eye-disease when he used a telescope, one of those peek-a-minute-for-a-quarter machine. We suspected that his eye-lash came in contact with the bacteria left by the previous patient.
His red-eye recovered in a week after medication.
I can hardly believe this... Presumably the machine uses some private key, but once that is hacked, people could create their own cards... it would be as secure as a black&white passport on plain paper: everyone could print their own on their laserprinter at home.
If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...