Cyprus-Forum.com

[theCAF]

Has anyone been paying attention to this critical issue? The proposed biometric passport implementation is planned for 2007. Do you really want your fingerprint on a passport or on any identification? What happens if someone gets a hold of your fingerprint? Fingerprints are not hard to duplicate and once your fingerprint has been compromised there is no way to solve that problem! Identity theft happens everyday but for now it is a matter of replacing your existing identification or credit cards or bank cards with new numbers to protect yourself. With the new biometrics if someone gets access to your identity there will be NOTHING you can do about it. Your fingerprints will never change and neither will your DNA so how can the government assure us that such sensitive information will not end up in the wrong hands?

[Sotos]

So the "biometric passport" is just the addition of fingerprints? It sounds a lot more than that! I thought it would have some build in chip or something high tech on it. I think Big Brother wants us all serialized so they can control us easier

[andri_cy]

If you dont plan on doing something criminal then why does it matter if they have your fingerprints and DNA on file. There is not a conspiracy behind EVERYthing.

[cymap]

If you dont plan on doing something criminal then why does it matter if they have your fingerprints and DNA on file. There is not a conspiracy behind EVERYthing.

The main difference between biometric identification and other forms of identification (e.g. id card, password) is that the identifying parameter (e.g. fingerprint, iris, DNA) is something each person is stuck with for the rest of their life . Identity theft is the most common form of fraud today and I believe it will only get worse as the amount of interconnected databases containing personal information increases. So the main concern is that, unlike a password or ID number, if someone manages to 'steal your fingerprint', you aren't able to change it!

[theCAF]

cymap wrote:

The main difference between biometric identification and other forms of identification (e.g. id card, password) is that the identifying parameter (e.g. fingerprint, iris, DNA) is something each person is stuck with for the rest of their life . Identity theft is the most common form of fraud today and I believe it will only get worse as the amount of interconnected databases containing personal information increases. So the main concern is that, unlike a password or ID number, if someone manages to 'steal your fingerprint', you aren't able to change it!

Your statement is absolutely correct and everyone needs to understand the implications. How many times have we been told that "new features" on ID, credit cards and debit cards will keep our identities safe? Yet today we have far more identity theft than ever before. Nothing can be 100% secure. Except now with the new biometric ID if you lose it or someone steals your identity you will be left without any way to protect yourself for the rest of your life. Is that what we really want? Yes this may help the government and banks protect themselves but it puts regular citizens at far greater risk. Why are we being forced to be more vulnerable because the banks and governments have failed to do their jobs and keep our information secure?

[Sotos]

How can somebody steal your fingerprints? Make operation on their fingers?

[theCAF]

It is actually easier than you would think to make a copy of someones fingerprints. Depending on how the "print" is actually stored. If it is stored digitally then it would be no different than any credit card number or PIN number except that it would be unique to you and if anyone ever gained access to that information you would have no way to regain your security. If it was stored as an image then it would simply be a matter of duplicating that image and again you would never be able to regain your security. Fingerprints are for life and in the past have only been used as a means of identifying criminals. Is the average citizen a criminal? No, so why should we be putting ourselves at risk?

[T_C]

You think thats a cause for concern?

Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykrLjM_3RxI

[Pete_D]

How can somebody steal your fingerprints? Make operation on their fingers?

Didn't I see that done in some movie (can't remember which....)....

but seriously, part of the thinking against all this sort of biometric identity stuff is as follows:
- traditional methods, criminal just steals credit cards, you come to know harm
- fingerprint / iris scan needed, criminal (in theory) cuts off your finger or plucks out your eyeball and takes it with them: you come to serious harm!

Consider what happens with chip & pin. Now a PIN is needed as well, it is easier for a criminal to just force you at gunpoint to withdraw cash as the card on its own is not sufficient (ok, some people can scam/fraud u to get your PIN, but for some more violent rogues it's easier to just force you to give them what they want).

Just my 2ps worth...

Pete

[Pete_D]

You think thats a cause for concern?

Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykrLjM_3RxI

Cheers T_C I've got a feeling from the title of this clip that it is something I will be checking out ...
although not right now, as youtube is being a tad non-responsive for me at the mo....

Pete