18th
This gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.
The End of Privacy: Entire City to Track People With Public Eye Scanners
“The City of Leon, Mexico, is installing real time iris scanners from biometrics R&D firm Global Rainmakers Inc. These scanners don’t require people to stop and put their eyes in front of a camera. They work in real time.
“From large scanners—capable of identifying 50 people per minute in motion— to smaller ones—like the EyeSwipe in the video above—that range from 15 to 30 people per minute, these devices are being installed in public places, like train and bus stations, and connected to a database that will track people across the city.
“According to Jeff Carter, CDO of Global Rainmakers, ‘If you’ve been convicted of a crime, in essence, this will act as a digital scarlet letter. If you’re a known shoplifter, for example, you won’t be able to go into a store without being flagged. Certainly for others, boarding a plane will be impossible.’
“The retinal scanning of Leon’s one million population has started already with its convicted criminals. Citizens with no criminal records have been offered the opportunity to ‘voluntarily’ scan their eyes.”
As long as only convicted criminals are on file, I have no problem with this. This could be very successful in reducing crime. But the opportunities for abuse and loss of privacy goes up if every-day people start being tracked, as well.
this is terrible news. under the guise of safety and order, big brother encroaches closer.
