Biometric technology: The beginning of a digital era National ID Cards Ousmane Gueye CST300L Biometric technology: The beginning of a digital era

Overview History of the Identification System What is a National ID card Biometric technology Current Situation Constraints Pros and Cons

What is the motive? Develop a flawless identification system Build a national biometric bank where each individual is identified by his/her unique genetic, biometric, physical, and behavioral traits

Historical Events 1775 First passport is issued (War of Independence) 1936 Social Security number is created and National ID idea rejected 2005 Real ID Act (restrictions apply to State issued ID's) Identification systems have always existed using different technologies, and providing documents in different formats

What is a National ID Has a RFID chip on it Contains biometric information Connects to a National Data Bank Common to all 50 states

Biometric technology Uses a computerized method to collect biometric information Data is recorded on a Radio Frequency ID chip The chip issues a unique ID number when hit with a signal frequency Chip can be inserted under the skin, on cards, or sewn in clothes

Biometric technology Individual behavioral and physical traits such as retinal scan, genetic characteristics, face and finger prints It's more accurate than the current technology Uses a complete set of biometric data to identify each individual

Current Situation State issued ID cards are widely used Driver's licenses and ID cards still use the old technology Biometric methods are in place and the field is growing Biometric companies include 3M Cogent, Antheus Technology, and others Congress faces strong opposition to pass legislation

Constraints - Budgetary The Real ID program suffers budgetary constrains In 2009 Budget was cut from $100 million to $60 million (40%) Not a top priority in the Homeland Security agenda

Constraints - Legal Opposition from lawmakers Opposition from advocacy groups such as ACLU and EPIC Citizens' reluctance to lose privacy Differences in State Laws

Pros Increases National Security Fight terrorism End illegal immigration Fight tax and ID theft End ID-related fraudulent activities

Cons Violates Privacy Rights and Leads to Stereotypes A weapon that might be abused by the legal authority Discrimination against patients by insurance companies Risk of stereotypes by genotype, behavioral traits, and race Mishandling or theft of biometrics can be detrimental

Recommendation What can you do? Do more research (visit epic.org, aclu.org, dhs.gov) Evaluate the benefits and the detrimental effects Raise awareness on the issue Vote for or against the implementation of this National ID system

Conclusion Biometric technology is a direct consequence of the the digital era. It engenders deep social transformations as its impact on society is unprecedented. Since we went from a hand-written form of ID to a chip-enabled ID card, does gaining security mean losing privacy?

References Amitai, E. (1999). The Limits of Privacy. Basic Books, New York. Print. ACLU. (2008). National Security Letters. ACLU. Retrieved 3/7/11 from BBC. (Producer). (n.d.). 1161854869. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456993/html/ BBC. (n.d.).Biometric Technology.. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456993/html/ Chindaro, S. (Photographer). (2012). Biometrics. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://drsamuelchindaro.blogspot.com/2012/07/biometrics-elections-in-zimbabwe-march.html EPIC. (2008, May). National id and the real id act. Retrieved from http://epic.org/privacy/id_cards/ Grand, D. (Producer). (2012). Socsecthelmamariegrandhamiltonsmaller. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~grand/ Nick, G. (Producer). (2009). Tiny chip. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.opednews.com/articles/Go Norton, et al. (2010). A people & a nation. (8th ed., Vol. 2). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Print. NTEB News. (Producer). (2011). mexican-id-now-equal-with-ca-id. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/?attachment_id=7018 Starnes, S. (Producer). (2010). 0_12_national_id_card_450. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://scottystarnes.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/the-democrats-double-standard/ The Telegraph. (Producer). (2008). /id-card-reverse_998586c. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/3077827/Anger-as-Jacqui-Smith-prepares-to-unveil-ID-card- design.html

References U.S. Department oh Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary. (2011). Fact sheet: Fiscal year 2012 budget request. Retrieved from Office of the Press Secretary website: http://www.dhs.gov/news/2011/02/14/secretary-napolitano-announces-fiscal-year-2012-budget-request U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Retirement and Disability Policy. (2009). The story of the social security number (2). Retrieved from website: http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v69n2/v69n2p55.html