FBI wants massive biometrics database Options

[Spectatrix]

Scary stuff.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/02/04/fbi.biometrics/index.html

The FBI already has 55 million sets of fingerprints on file. In coming years, the bureau wants to compare palm prints, scars and tattoos, iris eye patterns, and facial shapes. The idea is to combine various pieces of biometric information to positively identify a potential suspect.

[The Fanatic]

I'm not going to go as far to say that the government WILL do these things, but I still think that it is definitely a possibility. As a society we must decide where to draw the line. Where must privacy begin and end. Let me clarify, I don't think that the government is out to get us at every step and turn. However, men of power will always search for ways to better maintain and control that scheme of power. It only seems natural given the current technology that eventually governments will want to keep track of all citizens at all times. We already have systems such as On Star in vehicles and our household animals have even been fitted with microchips. Given the level of technology on the surface a microchip would serve as a great tool for law enforcement. Imagine the possibilities.... there is a missing person, all you need to do is type in there name and the officials would know exactly where that person was located. However, every new technology also contains a dark sinister side. There are just some things that I don't want my government to know. End of story.

Impala,
The main difference that I can see between a finger print database and a biometric database for example is that mapping out things like tattoos would be too personal. Many times a tattoo has symbolic meaning which is significant too that particular person and would in my opinion violate their right to privacy.

[impala454]

Impala,
The main difference that I can see between a finger print database and a biometric database for example is that mapping out things like tattoos would be too personal. Many times a tattoo has symbolic meaning which is significant too that particular person and would in my opinion violate their right to privacy.

If the tatt is visible how does writing that down as an identifying mark violate someone's privacy? It'd be like them writing down that your hair is black. I seriously doubt they're going to have the entire population line up, get naked, and have their body's scanned or some shit like the foil hats would have everyone think.

[The Fanatic]

If the tatt is visible how does writing that down as an identifying mark violate someone's privacy? It'd be like them writing down that your hair is black. I seriously doubt they're going to have the entire population line up, get naked, and have their body's scanned or some shit like the foil hats would have everyone think.

If a tattoo is visible then it is not a privacy issue because the individual has chosen to allow the tattoo to be viewed by anyone.

No, but governments could heavily regulate tattoo parlors and keep records of tattoo placement and design on individuals, hypothetically. For clarification purposes, I don't think all of this "conspiracy" stuff will come to be pass but I am willing to argue that the steps that the FBI is taking could lead to a loss of freedom and privacy if certain men had their way.

This post has been edited by The Fanatic: Feb 5 2008, 04:11 AM