So you think your fingerprints are safe? (US-VISIT)
Discussion
US-VISIT (allocated $1.7 billion since 2002), the U.S. government's main border control system, is plagued by computer security weaknesses, increasing the risk of computer attacks, data thefts, and manipulation of millions of identity records including passport, visa and Social Security numbers and the world's largest fingerprint database. A GAO report said "Weaknesses existed in all control areas and computing device types reviewed."
US-VISIT has compiled digital facial images and fingerprints of 90 million individuals and is used to vet 54 million border crossings each year. But Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the government has not taken adequate steps to safeguard the privacy of millions of people whose citizenship, immigration, law enforcement and national security records are used in the customs checks.
[Border Computers Vulnerable to Attack GAO Report Details Problems in System, Spencer S. Hsu, *The Washington Post*, 3 Aug 2007; A02; PGN-ed] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...
What the US does today, the RoW does tomorrow. As discussed in other threads, all EU member countries (will) have access to fingerprint and DNA data from all other EU countries. Some of these countries are more cavalier that the UK in dealing with personal data held by government departments.
Streaky
US-VISIT has compiled digital facial images and fingerprints of 90 million individuals and is used to vet 54 million border crossings each year. But Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the government has not taken adequate steps to safeguard the privacy of millions of people whose citizenship, immigration, law enforcement and national security records are used in the customs checks.
[Border Computers Vulnerable to Attack GAO Report Details Problems in System, Spencer S. Hsu, *The Washington Post*, 3 Aug 2007; A02; PGN-ed] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...
What the US does today, the RoW does tomorrow. As discussed in other threads, all EU member countries (will) have access to fingerprint and DNA data from all other EU countries. Some of these countries are more cavalier that the UK in dealing with personal data held by government departments.
Streaky
Yet, per one of the many in-laws - if you wish to make a hospital appointment for an elderly dependent who happen to be a bit deaf - does not matter if you have all the relevant details - not allowed to do so unless deaf old person speaks to them over the phone to say "yes" to a question they cannot even hear. 
It part of Data Protection Act. OK - it has logic in some ways as we cannot discuss people's health with people unless they give permission even if making appointment to see specialist on their behalf. However, the protection get undermined if...
... governments can store tons of information/photos/DNA on computer about folk without even asking.
Not only that - but not even keep it secure from potential identity theft
It part of Data Protection Act. OK - it has logic in some ways as we cannot discuss people's health with people unless they give permission even if making appointment to see specialist on their behalf. However, the protection get undermined if...
... governments can store tons of information/photos/DNA on computer about folk without even asking.
Not only that - but not even keep it secure from potential identity theft 
Exactly how private do you think your fingerprints are?? They were on every glass and piece of silverware you have ever used in a restaurant. They are on every soda can or water bottle you toss in the rubbish. They are on your car door handle, and the front door of your house.
Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
mko9 said:
Exactly how private do you think your fingerprints are?? They were on every glass and piece of silverware you have ever used in a restaurant. They are on every soda can or water bottle you toss in the rubbish. They are on your car door handle, and the front door of your house.
Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
You may want to read the thread, there is much more than finger prints in thereAnyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
mko9 said:
Exactly how private do you think your fingerprints are?? They were on every glass and piece of silverware you have ever used in a restaurant. They are on every soda can or water bottle you toss in the rubbish. They are on your car door handle, and the front door of your house.
Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
Right now getting my fingerprints requires some physical proximity, risk and hard work.Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
WildCat said:
Yet, per one of the many in-laws - if you wish to make a hospital appointment for an elderly dependent who happen to be a bit deaf - does not matter if you have all the relevant details - not allowed to do so unless deaf old person speaks to them over the phone to say "yes" to a question they cannot even hear.
Monty Python (IIRC) had the answer to that. I remember a report earlier this year about a new audiology department that called patients over the tannoy system, with no visual displays ... clever! - Streaky7db said:
mko9 said:
Exactly how private do you think your fingerprints are?? They were on every glass and piece of silverware you have ever used in a restaurant. They are on every soda can or water bottle you toss in the rubbish. They are on your car door handle, and the front door of your house.
Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
Right now getting my fingerprints requires some physical proximity, risk and hard work.Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
mko9 said:
7db said:
mko9 said:
Exactly how private do you think your fingerprints are?? They were on every glass and piece of silverware you have ever used in a restaurant. They are on every soda can or water bottle you toss in the rubbish. They are on your car door handle, and the front door of your house.
Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
Right now getting my fingerprints requires some physical proximity, risk and hard work.Anyone who wants your fingerprints would have no problems getting them.
And what are you afraid someone is going to do with them??
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