onClick Biometrics in touch

Hazmat followup

That program to take biometric information from hazmat truckers I mentioned earlier, isn't for Canadian drivers. It doesn't apply to them, however they have been working towards their own security card as well, and they are talking to the US to get Canadian drivers up to speed.

Hazmat fingerprint rule doesn't include Canadian drivers - for now.

Another positive influence of biometrics

Amber Alert is getting into the high tech action with AmberView, a 3D image of the missing child to view for better accuracy. The computer can detail every feature of the child's face, and the viewer can rotate and resize and manipulate the image to see exactly what the child looks like.

It makes for a better way of recognizing a child while they are still alive, rather than wait to verify fingerprints after a death.

Amber alerts going high-tech

Keep on truckin'... to the fingerprint site.

As part of the USA Patriot Act Monday, truckers have begun getting fingerprinted and have criminal background checks performed on them. These are truckers who haul hazardous materials around the US, because those trucks could be used as weapons by terrorists.

The problem affecting this project is that there are very few and far between fingerprint stations, and some truckers may have to make a detour. Hopefully that is just temporary.

Fingerprinting of hazmat truckers begins.

It's a success!

You've heard about the Registered Traveler Program right? -  The one where they launched the pilot in 5 major airports to test the effectiveness of a quick way through security checkpoints for frequent flyers.

Well it was supposed to end by now but it's still going strong. It's getting good reviews, and seems to be beneficial to the airport and the flyers.

I know if I was a frequent flyer, I would have wanted to get in on that action too.

Registered traveler program expedites airport screening with biometrics and smart cards.

US VISIT update

Looks like the US-VISIT Exit program is starting to bang on all 4 cyclinders. It was the last phase to be implemented, and after several months of 'checking out' at particular airports, they've added on a few more.

Statistics to date: 407 criminals or immigration violators have been identified.

Department of Homeland Security to begin US-VISIT biometric exit pilot at Detroit metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

Fighting the good fight

UK citizens who believe in a national ID should be glad they have MP Martin Salter on their side. He believes a properly functioning ID card will be beneficial for the UK, especially when it's loaded up with three biometrics!

Key role for MP in cards scheme.

Tonight on TV....

Looking for something to watch tonight? Try to catch ABC's Primetime Live. There's a segment called 'No Place to Hide'. Sounds lovely.

Peter Jennings examines the government's effort to harness technology in the name of security, and the price we might pay if we fail to balance security and freedom in the digital age.

No doubt they will talk about biometrics in some part.

ABC news.

Biometrics not infantile. Who knew.

Here's another generic article about the biometric industry, with a little emphasis about voice biometrics halfway through. In many instances, such as in call centers, voice recognition is ideal.

Enterprise Fertile area for voice biometrics.

A silver lining in our future

Well this is a warm article. All the things that ill-informed journalists have been tripping over lately really ARE seen in a positive light to the journalists who DO do their research.

Enjoy a good read for once: Safer and freer in 2005.

Portable fingerprints at CES

Already floating around the net are reports on gadgets being showcased at the Consumer Electronic Show. It's still not officially up and running, but sites like Gizmodo and Engadget are way ahead of the game.

Here's a brief rundown of some things that this one reporter already spotted. Lexar has a keychain drive with a fingerprint sensor, and also making its first appearance at CES is this flash drive that he didn't cover.

Lexar Media, flash memory maker, showed off USB keychain drives that protect the files stored on them using biometrics. They can scan your fingerprint and prevent someone who finds the drive--should you misplace it or leave it somewhere--from accessing your files. I've lost more than a few keychain drives and tried hard not to think about the files I left on them and how they might be used.

A first look at CES.