FBI's New Eye Scan Database Raising Eyebrows 229
mattnyc99 writes "The FBI has confirmed to Popular Mechanics that it's not only adding palm prints to its criminal records, but preparing to balloon its repository of photos, which an agency official says 'could be the basis for our facial recognition.' It's all part of a new biometric software system that could store millions of iris scans within 10 years and has privacy advocates crying foul. Quoting: 'The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, which could cost as much as $1 billion over its 10-year life cycle, will create an unprecedented database of biometric markers, such as facial images and iris scans. For criminal investigators, NGI could be as useful as DNA some day — a distinctive scar or a lopsided jaw line could mean the difference between a cold case and closed one. And for privacy watchdogs, it's a dual threat — seen as a step toward a police state, and a gold mine of personal data waiting to be plundered by cybercriminals.'"
Want to make money? (Score:3, Funny)
'Duel' threat? (Score:5, Funny)
> And for privacy watchdogs, it's a duel threat
I guess they really threw down the gauntlet, huh?
Now which weapon should I choose... rapier and/or dagger?
En Garde (Score:5, Funny)
And for privacy watchdogs, it's a duel threat
En garde!
Re:'Duel' threat? (Score:3, Funny)
well of course it's raising eyebrows... (Score:5, Funny)
how else would the scanner be able to read the eye?
Re:too many movies Which threat is worse? (Score:1, Funny)
Retinal, Iris, or Iro-Recto?
IIRC, there is a hidden part of the body having its OWN type of "fingerprint". An Oculo-Anulo scan, like in a pair of calipers, would give quite a .... measure of one's eye-dent-tity...
Re:ok, so what's next? (Score:4, Funny)
I see where this is going... (Score:4, Funny)
Well, what about the people with no eyeballs? OR HANDS?! OR FACES!? OR EVEN DNA?! You think criminals are dangerous, it's the criminal zombies you have to be really afraid of! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
They never would have caught me... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:'Duel' threat? (Score:4, Funny)
I think I'll take banjos, for $500.
Re:'Duel' threat? (Score:3, Funny)
BFG 9000 for me please.
Re:too many movies (Score:4, Funny)
Hey! I'm over here!
Re:too many movies (Score:2, Funny)
Re:too many movies (Score:5, Funny)
Or going outside when the sun is shining.
What is this "sun" of which you speak?
Re:I must say... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Alternatives (Score:1, Funny)
It requires a tattoo on your wrist or forehead. Research indicates it will be very popular. The Obama campaign is considering requiring it as part of their Universal Health Care program.
Re:Hold up (Score:5, Funny)
I do not leave my iris information at a crime scene.
Er... what *do* you leave at your crime scenes?
Re:Eyeglasses an advantage! (Score:3, Funny)
Naw, you'll just get put on the terror list first.
Think about it. You wear glasses because you are correcting your vision, possibly because you enjoy reading. While reading, you might be exposed to materials that are critical of plans to implement things such as iris scanners. Reading these critiques might cause you to begin thinking the government maybe exceeded its authority.
This kind of "thinking" is a strict no-no. True patriots never question; they obey.
At first when I read this... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:too many movies (Score:5, Funny)
You go outside!?
Re:Blah (Score:4, Funny)
Also it pointed out that a way to defeat this is any drug that dialates the pupils. So; smoke a bong and smile ;)
Marijuana doesn't dialate the pupils, although it can make your eyes red and droopy (maybe just as good). Non-addictive drugs don't do jack to the pupils.
If you want your eyes dialated, you're going to have to snort coke or smoke meth or crack. Downers and narcotics like Heroin or Demerol will make your pupils constrict.
Most psychedelics will alter your pupil size and are not physically addicting (besides Ketamine, woo yay). I know LSD and Psilocybin/Psilocin will dialate your pupils WAAAY more than coke/crack/meth. Though there's a SLIGHT possibility of it interfering with your daily tasks :P
Re:Blah (Score:4, Funny)
Non-addictive drugs don't do jack to the pupils.
Echo xonar's note on the psychedelics. A good healthy breakfast of funky fungus will blow your pupils to the point that the iris is difficult to find, let alone ID.
However, it's not terribly difficult to recognize when somebody is on mushrooms/LSD/etc. If they're going to detain you based on your irises, having them missing is probably just as effective a way to get arrested as springing up a positive match.
Re:Blah (Score:4, Funny)
And if illegal amphetamines or hallucinegenics don't do it for you, then you could always try something really crazy, like eye drops.
Re:Eyeglasses an advantage! (Score:4, Funny)
I thought the requisite income for owning a monocle meant you were controlling the surveillance system.