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FBI Prepares Vast Database of Biometrics

Posted by Soulskill on from the left-my-irises-in-my-other-pants dept.

MacRonin sends us to the Washington Post for a story about the FBI's plans for a large biometric identification database. The Post also has a chart detailing the characteristics of the different methods of identification. We discussed the ethics of a similar situation a few months ago. Quoting the Post: "Next month, the FBI intends to award a 10-year contract that would significantly expand the amount and kinds of biometric information it receives. And in the coming years, law enforcement authorities around the world will be able to rely on iris patterns, face-shape data, scars and perhaps even the unique ways people walk and talk, to solve crimes and identify criminals and terrorists. The FBI will also retain, upon request by employers, the fingerprints of employees who have undergone criminal background checks so the employers can be notified if employees have brushes with the law."

3 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. biometrics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Similar story can be found here[News] about biometric databases and the government

  2. Re:This is disturbing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    You can get arrested for anything these days and now the FBI is going to become your employers watchdog? I've seen some dickish, big brother behavior since 9-11 but this tops the suck pyramid.

    Well just like freedom of speech proponents say that I can change the channel if I don't like the filth on TV, you don't have to stick with an employer, or start working for one, who partakes in this capability. Having a hard time finding an employer who doesn't partake in this? I find it hard to find a TV channel I feel comfortable watching without seeing nudity and various levels of blasphemy.

  3. Everyone who voted bush can bite me by Sir_Real · · Score: 0, Troll

    Who didn't see this coming?