Would a National Biometric Authentication Scheme Work?

Ian Lamont writes "The chair of Yale's CS department and Connecticut's former consumer protection commissioner are calling for the creation of a robust biometric authentication system on a national scale. They say the system would safeguard privacy and people's personal data far more effectively than paper-based IDs. They also reference the troubled Real ID program, saying that the debate has centered around forms of ID rather than the central issue of authentication. The authors further suggest that the debate has led to confusion between anonymity and privacy: 'Outside our homes, we have always lived in a public space where our open acts are no longer private. Anonymity has not changed that, but has provided an illusion of privacy and security. ... In public space, we engage in open acts where we have no expectation of privacy, as well as private acts that cannot take place within our homes and therefore require authenticating identity to carve a sphere of privacy.' The authors do not provide any suggestions for specific biometric technologies, nor do they discuss the role of the government in such a system. What do you think of a national or international biometrics-based authentication scheme? Is it feasible? How would it work? What safeguards need to be put in place?"

Comments

Yale CS

[astrashe]

If history has taught us anything over the past few years, it's that putting guys from Yale in charge of things is always a great idea.

So let's let this wise man create a national biometric identification system. It sounds like a bad idea to me, but I'm just part of the rabble. I haven't had the benefit of his education and experience. I've never even been to a regatta!

Re:It would work to...

[tomhudson]

There's at least one in the White House. The only difference is that he has more resources. "Shock and Awe" sounds like terror to me.

Yep, Dick Cheney with a few drinks in him and a shotgun in his hand will certainly wipe that smile (and a layer of skin) off your face real quick.

Re:The other right; the right to be left alone!

[zippthorne]

I don't want adds calling out my name like in "Minority Report"

Well you're just going to have to level up, or quaff an invisibility potion, or keep your aggro down by using lower-level healing spells when you can get away with it.

Re:It would work to...

[Kozz]

Damn! That's incredible.

I mean, you've had those statistics memorized for nine years???