According to a recent poll by Truste, 82 percent of Americans “support the use of
biometric identification on passports,” 75 percent support adding biometrics to driver’s licenses, and 73 percent support adding it to social-security cards.
The survey polled 1,025 American consumers between September 25 and September 29, 2006. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent.
The survey has some contradictions. For example, 68 percent of the respondents believe that biometrics added to identity documents will make it harder for thieves to engage in identity theft, but 67 percent think that “criminals will find a way around the technology.”
Say what?
The real problem with adding biometrics to identity documents isn’t that crooks will find a way around the technology, but that crooks will get identity documents that have your name but their biometrics. If you think identity theft is bad now, just imagine how bad it will be when the crook’s fake identity is verified through the
use of fingerprints or iris scans:
“Yes, your honor, we know that Mary Johnson was there, because she presented her identity card and had her iris scanned. That’s what the computer says, and the biometric backed it up.”
“Is the woman in the defendant’s chair the same woman who presented the ID card?”
“I don’t know, your honor. I didn’t look at her face. The computer did.”
Keep Reading
Most Popular
DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.
“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.
What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines
New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.
Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats
With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure
Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation
From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.