onClick Biometrics in touch

Validating his disbelief

One skeptic's story as he pushes his way through the UK's trial of biometric passports. He doesn't spout out a blatant hatred for "biometricisation", at least. It's a brief narration of a day in the life of a volunteer.
A close encounter with biometrics.

Frequent flyer program update

More on this frequent flyer program - our very own IAH will be one of the first to participate (that's Houston's Intercontinental Airport).
It's supposed to help you bypass exhaustive searches. I would say that would have helped when I was there a few weeks ago, but then again I have to say, "What exhaustive search???"
'Registered travelers' program to get test. IAH one of five airports in project.
A much more informative article: Program would ease security a bit for frequent flyers. (tsk tsk Houston Chronicle)

On the status of biometrics for US citizens...

They are pushing for facial recognition ability in passports by December. Other facts presented by this article:

• The passports ready in December will be tests by officials and diplomats. Wide distribution isn't expected til late 2005.
  
• The visa-waiver countries do officially have a one year extension on their deadline to have biometric-enabled documents, to now be ready by November 30, 2006.
  
• Facial recognition is still being debated as the proper data to be recorded. Many others are still wanting fingerprinting because it is more practical. The embedded chip will be able to carry either information.
  
• The chip still needs work because it's lifespan is only half that of the passport on which it will be placed.

Face recognition passports expected by December.

Working out the kinks

Buried among the empty debates of invasion of privacy and imposing security threat nonsense, is a valid counter to biometrics. There is a possible dilemma that can cause a problem as more and more disabled people begin enrolling their biometric data.
The article does not dismiss biometrics because of it, but rather suggests that changes be made to accommodate the situation.
Fair enough. The industry is at the age where perfecting on details and upgrading the technology will only better it, and and help to change the minds of many naysayers by completely abolishing the reasons why they doubted it in the first place.
Bio ID cards: serious problems for disabled people.

If it's that easy...

It's just a matter of changing ID bracelets in one county jail to get away with mistaken identity.
So now they are installing an iris-recognition system to make sure they have the right inmate.
Bergen jail goes hi-tech to avoid mistakes.

Back, with strong opinions.

Well, the daily blogging is back. Just like promised.
While I was out, I learned one thing on my trip to France. Americans are spoiled, and that's why we gripe when we have extra security measures put in place.
While rushing to the airport, we were lucky to be let on the plane with minimal security checks, even after the 'gate' had closed. International flights stop check-in an hour before take-off.
Then, in Paris, on the way back we went through four security checks, as opposed to the one at home. The U.S. has a lot to be thankful for, considering that we haven't had to concern ourselves with terrorism until now. But our time has run out. And now we have to accommodate our new found fear of haters. America needs to get past the only-child syndrome.
Here is a good Q&A about future airport programs and current ones.
New programs aim to keep terrorists out of USA.

Talk amongst yourselves.

The weblog will be on vacation starting tomorrow.
New posts will begin to appear again June 14.
Until then, you have homework.
There WILL be a pop quiz.

Make it fast? Make it so!

A registered travel program would possibly make it easier for frequent flyers in the US to get to their final destination without their luggage being poked and prodded everytime. I myself will be flying to France tomorrow, and to just give some time for giving biometric information, I'd volunteer.
An EZPass for airports?

Another laptop stolen = more lives at risk

It's bad enough when laptops are stolen with enough information about someone to create a case of identity theft, but when the DEA laptops get stolen, that's reeaaally bad news. For informants.
It's so short, I'm gonna post the whole thing here. Why not. It's quite juicy news....
Missing: A laptop of DEA informants.

June 7 issue - Federal investigators are frantically trying to determine what happened to a missing laptop computer that contains sensitive data on as many as 100 Drug Enforcement Administration investigations around the country, including a wealth of information about many of the agency's confidential informants, NEWSWEEK has learned.
The computer was first reported stolen three weeks ago by an auditor for the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General, which was conducting a routine review of DEA payments to informants. The auditor told police the laptop had been stolen from the trunk of his car while he was at a bookstore coffee shop in suburban Washington. But when investigators confronted the auditor last week and questioned his account, the auditor changed his story, saying he had accidentally damaged the computer—then destroyed it and threw it away in a Dumpster to avoid embarrassment. Investigators are seeking to verify his new account. Either way, DEA agents are "livid," said one senior law-enforcement official who noted that, although the computer didn't contain informants' names, it included more than 4,000 pages of case-file data, including enough details about the informants' work that it could allow drug traffickers to figure out who they are. "This is a sin in our business," the official said. The incident is a particular embarrassment for Inspector General Glenn Fine's office, which has taken on an expanded watchdog role under Attorney General John Ashcroft. Only two years ago, the IG issued a blistering report criticizing Justice agencies, including the DEA and the FBI, for failure to maintain adequate controls on sensitive items—including their laptop computers.
—Michael Isikoff