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Privacy Security Transportation

Delta's Fully Biometric Terminal Is the First In the US (engadget.com) 53

In what Delta is calling the first "biometric terminal" in the country, they will reportedly use facial recognition at check-in, security and boarding inside the international terminal at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Engadget reports: Passengers that want to use facial recognition can approach a kiosk in the lobby and click "Look," or approach a camera at the ticket counter, TSA checkpoint or when boarding. Once a green check mark flashes on the screen, they can proceed. Delta -- which plans to introduce fingerprint scanning to fold, too -- says passengers can use this system instead of the passports to get through these checkpoints, but you'll still need your passport for use in other non-biometric-equipped airports (although maybe one day we'll do away with passports altogether). Privacy advocates are concerned about the security risks present in facial scans, especially as it's an opt-out process. Others, however, say it makes air travel a more streamlined process.
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Delta's Fully Biometric Terminal Is the First In the US

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  • by Opportunist ( 166417 ) on Friday September 28, 2018 @06:09AM (#57388994)

    Knowing Delta's mastery [businessinsider.de] of established technology [usatoday.com] lets me look forward into a bright future with them embracing the spearhead of bleeding edge technology.

    --signed, Oscar Muñoz, CEO United Airlines.

  • by Dallas May ( 4891515 ) on Friday September 28, 2018 @07:36AM (#57389154)

    Biometrics are dumb for security. Ultimately, they are even worse than passwords. When someone steals a few million irises from their database, the company can't send out a bulk email telling everyone to change their eyes.

    • by Nidi62 ( 1525137 )

      When someone steals a few million irises from their database, the company can't send out a bulk email telling everyone to change their eyes.

      Good afternoon, Mr. Yakamoto. How did you like that three-pack of tank tops you bought last time you were in?

    • Biometrics are dumb for security.

      Not only that, but hasn't it been less than 12 hours since there was another story here about all the problems with facial recognition at the airport?

      https://yro.slashdot.org/story... [slashdot.org]

      It's really bothersome when you see a corporation or an entire industry rush headlong into some new technology even though they know it's rife with problems. It's like they can't stop themselves or something.

  • Caution (Score:5, Interesting)

    by markdavis ( 642305 ) on Friday September 28, 2018 @07:50AM (#57389182)

    >"Delta -- which plans to introduce fingerprint scanning to fold, too"

    Not a fan of this at all, but would flatly refuse if the biometrics used tried to include fingerprints or DNA. Those are two HUGE no-no's- they are left all over the place and can be collected without your permission or knowledge. One is easy to fake and the other can reveal all kinds of information about you*. Iris is also not safe- it is observable from a distance and also fakeable.

    * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
    If you must choose a biometric, make it either retina scan or deep vein palm scan. And even then, should only be used when absolutely essential.

    • Lots of jobs make you get fingerprinted - I'm in healthcare. I said fuck it, if I'm already in the database, I might as well enjoy the benefits. Signed up for a concealed carry permit and Global Entry. I can take a gun just about anywhere I want to, and immigration takes about one minute.
      • >"I said fuck it, if I'm already in the database, I might as well"

        That is how privacy and freedom are lost. Many of us are NOT in "the database" and don't want to be. Do what you will, but please keep in mind that just because it becomes more "norm" doesn't mean it is the right thing to do or that people who resist are somehow backwards, paranoid, or have "something to hide".

        Oh, and many (if not most) CCP/CWP/CHPs don't require fingerprinting.

        • Maybe your CCP didn’t. Mine did. It was one of the reasons I held out until I was in the database for other reasons. I didn’t like it, but it happened while I was in medical school, and so I could either drop out and try to find a job that coukd pay off a house-worth of loans without having “MD” after my name, or get printed.

          And once you’ve gotten printed, there is no point in not taking advantage of it. You do you.
  • If they're doing this to passengers, they should definitely do this for employees and TSA agents. And maybe that one douche bag that works at Starbucks.

  • >> herpta derp Biometrics Terminal

    "Who cares about planes taking off when you've got TOYS!" - Delta CEO
  • Great (Score:5, Interesting)

    by DaMattster ( 977781 ) on Friday September 28, 2018 @08:29AM (#57389256)
    Given corporations' notorious attitude towards security as an afterthought, what happens when the inevitable intrusion occurs and a treasure trove of biometric data gets into the hands of some very bad actors. I think we are really in peak technology at this point and most new solutions aren't solving problems but are solutions looking for problems. I am going to stick to the old fashioned way of simply producing an ID and boarding pass. I can see the advantage of the mobile boarding pass and I do use that but we have recently hit the point where technology ceases to solve problems and may actually be creating more problems.
  • I agree with the other posters regarding privacy concerns, the inability of major corporations to keep their software secure and up to date, and their inability to protect customer information. But, and correct me if I'm wrong, isn't there an error factor with most versions of facial recognition software? Other news sources claim as high up to a 40 percent error rate.
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • You can check in AND get tased and hauled off before having to walk all the way to the gate!

    • by torkus ( 1133985 )

      Pretty sure I used one last week in atlanta. it's at the gate. you scan your boarding pass, walk through the little gate, next person goes. BFD. Why we have gate agents scanning barcodes is beyond me anyhow.

      i have NFI why they're calling this biometric. It's just scanning your barcode ... just like the gate agent does. Protip: unless you're flying international you don't show ID to board a plane.

      Now, you CAN use biometrics in the airport. Clearme (dot com) uses them at their kiosk which bypasses the

  • How does a person opt out? Does anyone have a link?

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