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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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?

15. 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.) [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
BBC. (n.d.).Biometric Technology.. Retrieved from
Chindaro, S. (Photographer). (2012). Biometrics. [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
EPIC. (2008, May). National id and the real id act. Retrieved from
Grand, D. (Producer). (2012). Socsecthelmamariegrandhamiltonsmaller. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
Nick, G. (Producer). (2009). Tiny chip. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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
Starnes, S. (Producer). (2010). 0_12_national_id_card_450. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
The Telegraph. (Producer). (2008). /id-card-reverse_998586c. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from design.html

16. References
U.S. Department oh Homeland Security, Office of the Press Secretary. (2011). Fact sheet: Fiscal year budget request. Retrieved from Office of the Press Secretary website:
U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Retirement and Disability Policy. (2009). The story of the social security number (2). Retrieved from website: