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FBI's New Eye Scan Database Raising Eyebrows

mattnyc99 writes "The FBI has confirmed to Popular Mechanics that it's not only adding palm prints to its criminal records, but preparing to balloon its repository of photos, which an agency official says 'could be the basis for our facial recognition.' It's all part of a new biometric software system that could store millions of iris scans within 10 years and has privacy advocates crying foul. Quoting: 'The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, which could cost as much as $1 billion over its 10-year life cycle, will create an unprecedented database of biometric markers, such as facial images and iris scans. For criminal investigators, NGI could be as useful as DNA some day — a distinctive scar or a lopsided jaw line could mean the difference between a cold case and closed one. And for privacy watchdogs, it's a dual threat — seen as a step toward a police state, and a gold mine of personal data waiting to be plundered by cybercriminals.'"

9 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. 'Duel' threat? by mfnickster · · Score: 4, Funny

    > And for privacy watchdogs, it's a duel threat

    I guess they really threw down the gauntlet, huh?

    Now which weapon should I choose... rapier and/or dagger?

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  2. En Garde by Quattro+Vezina · · Score: 5, Funny

    And for privacy watchdogs, it's a duel threat

    En garde!

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  3. well of course it's raising eyebrows... by wisebabo · · Score: 4, Funny

    how else would the scanner be able to read the eye?

  4. I see where this is going... by Aphoxema · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, what about the people with no eyeballs? OR HANDS?! OR FACES!? OR EVEN DNA?! You think criminals are dangerous, it's the criminal zombies you have to be really afraid of! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

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  5. They never would have caught me... by Thelasko · · Score: 5, Funny

    if I hadn't left an image of my retina at the crime scene!

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  6. Re:too many movies by digitalhermit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or going outside when the sun is shining.

    What is this "sun" of which you speak?

  7. Re:Hold up by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

    I do not leave my iris information at a crime scene.

    Er... what *do* you leave at your crime scenes?

  8. Re:too many movies by Facegarden · · Score: 4, Funny

    You go outside!?

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  9. Re:Blah by xonar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Also it pointed out that a way to defeat this is any drug that dialates the pupils. So; smoke a bong and smile ;)

    Marijuana doesn't dialate the pupils, although it can make your eyes red and droopy (maybe just as good). Non-addictive drugs don't do jack to the pupils.

    If you want your eyes dialated, you're going to have to snort coke or smoke meth or crack. Downers and narcotics like Heroin or Demerol will make your pupils constrict.

    Most psychedelics will alter your pupil size and are not physically addicting (besides Ketamine, woo yay). I know LSD and Psilocybin/Psilocin will dialate your pupils WAAAY more than coke/crack/meth. Though there's a SLIGHT possibility of it interfering with your daily tasks :P