FBI aims for world's largest biometrics database. What are your thoughts?

Question

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6223876.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2129895820071222?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

http://www.antiwar.com/paul/?articleid=5887

http://www.infowars.com/articles/ps/nat_id_real_id_passed_end_of_america.htm

Answer 1

my immediate thought is "who is the competition"?

Answer 2

In the context of solving and preventing crimes, this would appear to be a major technological leap forward. But your concern, I suspect, is that the data could be used to violate what most of us feel is our civil right to be let alone by state and federal authorities if we haven't committed a crime. Or else your concern may be that such data could be manipulated in the future to suggest that a particular individual committed a crime when he or she or they did not.

There wil bel, no doubt, some opportunity for misuse of this data in ways we may be unaware of for years to come. In an authoritarian nation like Russia or a communist nation like China we could more easily believe in the potential that such data would be misused. In fact, my premise would be that biometric data was being compiled for political purposes rather than security and law enforcement purposes in those countries. But, notwithstanding this administration's shoddy record on civil rights and law enforcement which is replete with violations of the US Constitution and the mishandling and destruction of evidence involving the prosecution of suspected terrorists, the FBI will get a free pass initially because it isn't the CIA or the DOD.

Only time will tell if the FBI uses this information for its intended purposes, or whether a FBI Director will okay the use of its data for extra-legal purposes somewhere down the line. Where is Philip Dick when you need him?

Answer 3

It really makes no difference. Prints and/or biometeric are just what they are. You prove who you are just as if you went to renew a passport or license.

The cost to have CCTV simply everywhere would be prohibitive.... the US is not a little island like the UK. If you commit no crime as well you have nothing to be concerned about. The only ones that do need to be concerned are criminals, illegal aliens and terrorists.

Answer 4

I think it has the potential to make us safer overall. Sure, there may be mistakes, compromises and glitches. If it helps to positively identify and prosecute criminals, it'll probably be worth it.

Answer 5

It's about time.

Answer 6

I think if you haven't committed a crime.....it really is of no concern. We ask 'them' to keep us safe...and then refuse them the tools to do so.

Answer 7

Resistance is futile.