TIME pushes biometric ID card in the name of immigration reform

Are You Ready for a Biometric Social Security Card?

Katy Steinmetz
TIME
March 29, 2010

Could a national identity card help resolve the heated immigration reform divide?

A bipartisan pair of Senators, New York Democrat Chuck Schumer and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, certainly seem to think so. They recently presented an immigration-bill blueprint to President Barack Obama that includes a proposal to issue a biometric ID card — one that contains physical data such as fingerprints or retinal scans — to all working Americans. The “enhanced Social Security card” is being touted as a way to curb illegal immigration by giving employers the power to quickly, accurately determine who is eligible to work. “If you say they can’t get a job when they come here, you’ll stop it,” Schumer told the Wall Street Journal. Proponents also hope legal hiring will be easier for employers if there’s a single go-to document instead of the 26 that new employees can currently use to show they’re authorized to work.

But with a Congressional skirmish over comprehensive immigration reform on the horizon, skeptics from the left and the right have raised numerous concerns about the biometric ID — some of which pop up every time a form of national identification is proposed and some that hinge on the shape this plan ultimately takes.

The sheer scale of the project is a potential problem, in terms of time, money and technology. The premise of using a biometric employment card (which would most likely contain fingerprint data) to stop illegal working requires that all 150-million-plus American workers, not just immigrants, would need to have one.

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 America has always been known as the great melting pot where people from various nations can come here with hard work and a bit of luck enrich their lives and the lives of our families. Immigrants have come to America and brought skills that we as Americans valued. We gained from their skills and labor and they came to a country where you can be free to live in peace and comfort.

Today Mexicans are leaving their country in droves and come to America to improve their lives. If I lived In Mexico where the there is such a divide between those have and those who have not I would take the risks and come to America myself. The problem is that there are at least 30 million illegal aliens in America who have not been tested for diseases like TB[1] and they are being exploited by America businesses who don't want to pay the minimum wage or higher.

These men and women break their back in this country only to be paid slave wages. In many states such as Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona they have taken over many towns and locals have had to move out. Now many of us have begged the government for a border fence, well we are going to get one but is it took keep the illegals out or to keep us in?

Fortress North America[2] is a term used during World War II which was devised to protect America and Canada from the Nazi blitzkrieg in case all the other nations failed to stop them. Since 9/11 it has been used to further integrate North America and secure the continent. If we are to integrate with Canada and Mexico why is it that we can no longer cross both borders without a long-range RFID enabled passport, thumb print and a cavity search[3]?

Forget about travelling out of the country on an airplane, you must have 'clearance' before hand. If you are on a no-fly list then you can't even leave the country. Now when you travel abroad you are put in a Homeland Security database which creates a risk assessment profile to determine whether you are a terrorist, subversive or peaceful protestor. This is called the Automated Targeting System[4]. Bruce Schneier said it best, "It's the sort of thing you'd expect from the former Soviet Union or East Germany or China."

RFID, radio frequency identification is being using in U.S. passports, Wal-Mart groceries and the jeans you buy in The Gap. It is being used by the government because it is easy to track and trace travelers who come and go. A recent story showed that the National Guard[5] during times of disasters and emergencies will be using RFID to track people, pets and equipment. So if you are put on a bus going to a wonderful local FEMA center you are being tracked and corralled like cattle.

On the northern and southern border the U.S. VISIT[6] initiative has created biometric checkpoints for everyone but illegal aliens. The U.S. government may be willing to put unregulated mercenary forces such as Blackwater USA or Dyncorp[7] on both borders to 'keep us safe'. All of this safety is beginning to look a lot like East Germany. We have lost so many liberties that Americans have taken for granted. Our government has taken our liberties and replaced them with permissions attached with fees.

We live in a gated North American community ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the police state. When the next attack happens on American soil will you quietly go to your local FEMA center? Halliburton[8] is building detention camps, and preachers[9] are being bought off by Homeland Security to quell dissent when martial law is declared. This police state apparatus is being built right under our noses. It is late in the game but we still have time. Plan for your family before your government unveils their plans for you.

What does the word "biometric" mean?

Biometrics is the science of using a person's unique physiological characteristics to verify their identity. Or, in the official language of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security: "A measurable, physical characteristic or personal behavioural trait used to recognize the identity or verify the claimed identity [of a person]."

Biometrics measures:

• Face
• Fingerprints
• Hand geometry
• Handwriting
• Iris of the eye
• Retinal veins in the eye
• Voice

Why is biometrics being used?

Biometrics was being used to verify identity in a number of areas before the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. After the attacks, the U.S. Congress passed the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Act, which said all people entering the United States had to eventually use passports, visas and other travel documents that used "biometric identifiers recognized by domestic and international standards."

At present, the United States uses digital fingerprints and photographs as part of its US-VISIT program for visitors who require visas. The face photograph will soon be used in conjunction with a "globally interoperable biometric" system of face recognition software that is being adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

A number of large corporations and organizations, such as American Express and the New York Police Department use biometrics to confirm employee identification. Others such as Continental Airlines use biometrics for those employees who need access to secure areas.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands are using biometric measures to help identify some immigrants and international visitors.

Canada uses biometrics in its CANPASS program for frequent travellers. More on that below.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biometrics?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says digital fingerscans makes the exit and entry system to the country more efficient. Before the finger scanning system was implemented, only names and biographical data were checked with databases of suspected terrorists or criminals. The fingerscans make it easier to compare identities with watch lists.

Homeland Security also says: "Biometric identifiers make it virtually impossible for anyone else to claim their identity should their travel documents be stolen or duplicated. Biometric identifiers will also reduce fraud and abuse of the [U.S.] immigration system.

Privacy advocates are worried that biometrics and the databases that contain vast amounts of personal information will likely be used for purposes beyond simply screening for airport security and to enforce immigration laws and regulations.

As well, a conference in October 2003 sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada warned: "Biometrics raises a number of additional concerns, including sovereignty, cultural values, and ethics."

Where does Canada use biometrics?

CANPASS, used by Canada Customs, uses fingerscans to ease the flow of goods between the U.S. and Canada. Truck drivers have their fingerprints registered in order to pass through borders smoothly.

At major Canadian airports, members of CANPASS Air go to a kiosk where a digital camera captures an image of the eye. The system recognizes the iris as proof of the user' s identity and then "expedites… passage through Customs and Immigration."

The agency charges an annual fee of $50 for travellers who want faster customs service. The system is in place in Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto and Montreal, and is expected to arrive in Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton in 2005.

Frequent travellers to the U.S. from Canada have the option of using the joint Canada-U.S. NEXUS fast-track program to verify their identify and get through customs more quickly. The NEXUS iris scanners are in place at many border crossings on land and, beginning in November 2004, at Vancouver International Airport.

In October 2003, Citizenship and Immigration Canada sponsored a conference to decide how biometrics could be used in this country in the future.

The then minister of citizenship and immigration, Denis Coderre, had proposed that Canada implement a national identity card using biometric measurements. The controversial proposal was debated at the conference but so far the issue has not been a priority for the government of Prime Minister Paul Martin.

While U.S. law says that passports for those entering the country after October 2004 must contain biometric identifiers, the Canadian government has, so far, not included biometrics on the Canadian passport, although it has upgraded the security features of the passport.

Fingerprint

The most widely used biometric technology uses fingerprints.

Fingerprint scanners measure the unique, complex swirls on a person's fingertip. They can even accommodate cuts. The swirls are characterized and produced as a template.

However, if a previous user has left an oily imprint on the scanner, or the finger isn't placed in the right position, a false rejection may occur.

At least four counties in California, including Los Angeles, use fingerprint technology to reduce welfare fraud. Spain uses it for its social security card and it's soon to be expanded for use in handing out pension, unemployment and health benefits.

Hand/Palm Geometry

The system maps key features of the topography of a person's hand, measuring all the creases on the palm. This is more expensive and considered less accurate than other biometrics.

A recent creation by LiveGrip analyses the veins, arteries and fatty tissues of the hand. Sixteen scans are taken and a template of the individual's hand is stored.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons uses hand geometry to track movements of its prisoners, staff and visitors within prisons. Once people enter the system, they must have their hands scanned. The information is put in a database and each person is issued a magnetic swipe card that must be carried at all times.

Prisoners are enrolled for access control to places such as the cafeteria, hospital and recreational lounges.

Iris

Iris recognition technology was pioneered by John Daugman of Cambridge University in England in the mid-1990s. The technology examines the unique patterns of the iris, the coloured ring around the pupil of the eye.

Iris scans are non-invasive. The person puts his face in front of a camera, which then analyses all the features. It doesn't require people to take off their glasses.

The system can be used to check in passengers at the ticket desk, baggage check and boarding. It can also be used in conjunction with a multiple security door system. Once a person's iris is scanned and approved, the person is allowed into an area.

Iris recognition is seen as having the highest accuracy of all the biometric technologies.

"The technology reads 266 different characteristics as opposed to fingerprint technology, which reads about 90," says Catherine Kaliniak of EyeTicket, an American company that produces iris recognition equipment.

"The iris doesn't change from the time you're one year old."

EyeTicket has pilot-tested its iris systems at the Frankfurt and Charlotte/Douglas, N.C., airports. In addition, it was used at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Iris scans were used on airport staff and aircrew.

EyeTicket is launching a program with Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Frequent fliers can choose to join the iris program, which will facilitate their passage from the ticket counter through Heathrow's customs and immigration.

The technology is portable and can capture and code millions of scans.

At Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, frequent flyers can sign up for the "Privium Club," which uses iris scans. The software was developed by Schipol, airport police and the immigration service.

Members have their iris data entered on a chip of an identification card. The passenger can zip through passport control and check-in by looking into a scanner. The scan is also used for airport personnel in secure areas.

Schipol authorities will test the technology for one year. After that, they may expand the program.

Retinal

Retinal scans examine the blood vessel patterns of the retina, the nerve tissue lining the inside of the eye that is sensitive to light.

An infrared light source is used to illuminate the retina of the eye. The image of the enhanced blood vessel pattern of the retina is analysed for characteristic points.

A retinal scan can produce almost the same volume of data as a fingerprint image analysis.

Retinal scan technology has several drawbacks. The retina is susceptible to disease (notably cataracts) that can change the characteristics of the eye and the method of obtaining a retinal scan is personally invasive - a laser light (or other light source) must be directed through the cornea of the eye.

Obtaining a correct retinal scan depends heavily on the skill of the operator.

Face

This technology requires a person to sit in front of a digital camera while it tracks about 80 facial characteristics. The lighting must be perfect and the camera must line up the image perfectly.

Essentially, the technology measures the peaks and valleys of the face, such as the tip of the nose and the depth of the eye sockets, which are known as nodal points - the human face has 80 nodal points, only 14 to 22 are needed for recognition - concentrating on the inner region, which runs from temple to temple and just over the lip. It then comes up with a face print.

Face prints can also be stored on a smart card that users swipe through a door without looking into a camera.

The technology has been around since the early 1990s and is used in more than 100 casinos in the United States. It got a lot of attention last February when authorities used it at Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa to search for felons among the crowd of 100,000 spectators.

Voice

Voice dynamics relies on the production of a "voice template" that is used to compare with a spoken phrase. A speaker must repeat a set phrase several times as the system builds the template.

This biometrics technique relies on the behaviour of the subject rather than the physical characteristics of the voice and is considered prone to inaccuracy.

The system verifies voices through passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). A person must repeat the password and key in their PIN to gain access. The problem is that a person's voice is susceptible to sickness, drugs and emotions.

Biometrics and Air Security

IATA, the International Air Transport Association, has a program, Simplifying Passenger Travel, to try to implement biometrics at airports around the world.

The program is trying to make sure all the different biometric systems being used are compatible, i.e. they can "talk" to each other.

IATA is primarily interested in iris technology. Though it's very expensive, Melanie Lauckner of the SPT program says its sustained use would bring costs down over the years.

Lauckner says the benefits of biometrics override any costs.

"A passenger arrives at the airport, the system checks you in, lets you pass security and into the departure lounge, makes sure your luggage travels with you and informs your country of arrival that you are coming and that you have the proper papers."

Lauckner says IATA has yet to put a dollar figure on implementing biometrics at international airports.

Zach Spear
Apple Insider
January 9, 2009

We’ve already seen the iSight indicator light “disappear” behind the bezel of Apple’s MacBook and iMac computers. A recently published patent application could make the iSight itself not only disappear, but move to the middle of the screen. MacBooks, iMacs, and even iPhones and iPod touches could take advantage of the new technology.

Submitted in July 2007, the filing details plans for a camera mounted behind a display that could capture an image “while the display elements are in an inactive state (in which the display elements are darkened and at least partially transparent).”

According to the document, a similar, additional system could involve two or more cameras, with software combining the two images into one. Video would also be possible by cycling the display “between the active state and the inactive state repeatedly.”

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a ‘dark spot’ would appear on the screen during photos, or even start flashing during video capture.

“In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured to substantially minimize the period of time in the inactive state to reduce the appearance of flicker of the display screen.”

The filing explains how today’s built-in cameras require a user to look away from the lens in order to see his or her video conferencing participants.

 www.spychips.com

RFID Privacy Issues and News

Part 1 - Biometrics identification - a flawed system.

 http://www.verichipcorp.com/

Biometrics is the first step towards some bizarre Utopian government ideal, where they will target malcontent antisocial behaviour (sent to prison for pissing up a tree), or people with political leanings (those who dare speak up against the powers that be). As a consequence, partaking in such proclivities will deem you as an outcast, a hardened criminal, ultimately resulting in stripping you of all your civil liberties and ostracising you from society.

Perhaps it is a ruse to create global control and global unique identifiers for each and every person on this planet. This would involve cross-correlation of multiple databases across the globe, the perfect hypothesis for a one world Government (NWO - New World Order).

 Or is it to combat the so called ‘war on terror’! This war on terror was simply created in order to install fear and subservience amongst the masses. Take cover, for a bearded man approaches… After all he must be a terrorist, he looks like a Muslim.What problems are these Governments trying to solve? What problems exist which justify spending billions on ways to track every individual of any age in a country using biometric technology? The threat of terrorism! Hmm.

It is no business of ANY government to know who I am, or where I am at any one time without probable cause.

Biometric implementation means you can’t ever change your ‘password’, so what happens if you get ‘hacked’. What happens if you have a horrific accident and lose your hands and eyes! You won’t be able to be authenticated! What then? Should you then consider replacing your body parts!

The best tried and tested security method to adopt is human interaction, for a person to physically look at you and then swipe your driver’s licence and contact the vehicle licence authorities to correlate the data.

Are we are living in a tyrannical world, controlled by the elite?

In closing we should be adopting the ethos that less government is better government.

It doesn’t matter how strong a security system is, it will eventually fail. Biometrics is no exception.

The more people that become aware of systems like biometrics, RFID passports, retinal scans and understand how flawed they are and what the real agendas behind these systems really are, then the harder it will be for the governments of this world to implement biometrics and the process of dog tagging all of humanity.

CANADIAN PRESS | July 24, 2006
By JIM BRONSKILL

OTTAWA—A high-tech system to prevent terrorists and other criminals from obtaining passports will eventually contain the photos of some 21 million Canadians, new documents show.

Canada's passport office has officially begun looking for a vendor to supply a computerized tool to screen applicant photos against images of suspects on security watch lists.

Passport Canada's facial-recognition project, in the works for three years, represents one of the first large-scale federal forays into the sphere of biometrics. Biometric technologies use measurable characteristics, such as a person's facial image, iris scan or fingerprint, to confirm his or her identity.

The systems have attracted security-conscious converts in the post 9/11 era. But critics argue there are too many inaccuracies in the technology while civil libertarians have raised concern about undue surveillance.

"We don't know really much about how these databases get made and who is programming them," said Simone Browne, a teacher and doctoral candidate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. "How is race reflected in this? And gender? And nationality?"

A contract for the facial-recognition initiative is to be awarded by mid-November, said Francine Charbonneau, a Passport Canada spokeswoman.

A regional trial will be conducted next spring with the aim of making the tool available to passport offices across the country by fall 2007.

According to recently released project documents, the photos of 1 million passport applicants will initially be loaded into the database, with approximately 4 million new photos being added in each of the next five years. Passports are valid for five years, meaning the photos of all holders would be in the system by 2012.

Applicant photos would be electronically compared with the millions of pictures in the database. Those renewing their passports could expect one match: the photo submitted with their last passport application. But an image match could reveal an applicant already has a passport under a different name.

Applicant photos would also be run against pictures supplied by other federal departments and foreign governments, said Charbonneau.

The aim is to prevent people who are ineligible for a passport, including national security risks and certain convicted criminals, from obtaining one.

Officials have yet to decide which databases will be routinely compared, Charbonneau said. "We're only in talks with certain departments on seeing how we could benefit from their lookout list."

Searching the database is expected to take just seconds. A match that raised concerns would trigger an investigation by passport agency security personnel.

Critics of facial-recognition programs contend they are notoriously inaccurate and have difficulty reading particular skin tones.

Charbonneau insists the technology cannot be fooled by such things as gender, ethnicity or changes in appearance like a new hairstyle or eyeglasses.