Biometrics

Biometrics technology has come a long way in the last twenty years, moving from movie screens and science fiction novels to government agencies and private corporations. In the last ten years, biometrics technology has moved from the homes of movie stars to the homes of the average middle-income American, from government agencies to retail outlets. In the next ten years, biometrics technology will invade the homes and lives of every American citizen.

Biometrics technology has been a concept outlined in science fiction novels since the sixties. Like so many other scientific advances, the knowledge and ability were available long before the concept truly took root. And, like other scientific advances that make our lives easier, biometrics technology is being latched onto by many Americans rather quickly.

Today, biometrics technology is used for door locks, not in corporations or government agencies, but on residential homes. Biometrics technology will further affect the every day lives of Americans as biometric passports and biometric identification cards are beginning to be issued. Payment using biometrics technology is already in the near future. In California, several grocery stores use fingerprint scanners for payment of groceries.

Biometrics technology has also invaded the workplace. Biometric fingerprint scanners have been incorporated into computers, laptops, and door locks. Biometric fingerprint scanners are also being used for tracking employees, time clocks, and scheduling. The biometrics technology is even moving toward network and server security access.

In the future, biometrics technology will be a part of our every day lives. It will be used for security checkpoints in airports in the form of retina scans instead of a passport. It will be used by local law enforcement officials to verify identity. It will be used by convenience store clerks to verify age before the sale of alcohol or tobacco products. It will be used by Americans across the nation to protect their homes and valuables.

All of the biometrics technology for these advancements is already available. Not only is the technology available, but the devices already being marketed at very inexpensive prices could easily be used for all of these applications. All that would be required would be a little bit of software and programming changes. There is one main issue that is keeping biometrics technology from taking over all areas of our lives.

Many privacy advocates are speaking out against biometrics technology. These groups claim that through biometrics technology, the government will not only gain more control over Americans, but they will be able to track every citizen's every move. This would be a gross abuse of power and violation of our rights. Although the government gives assurances that biometrics technology would not be used to violate the privacy of law abiding citizens, certain abuses of the Patriot Act make these groups very wary.

Regardless of these outcries, biometrics technology is sure to push through the obstacles toward every day, commonplace use. Like other security measures that our government has taken, biometrics technology will win out, regardless of civil rights concerns.