The Automated Fingerprint Identification System is Just One More Example of Lost Privacy in the US.

Automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) has actually been around for 25 years.

It is a biometric identification method that uses digital imaging to capture, store and analyze fingerprint data. This was actually first used by the FBI in criminal cases.

Now popularity has grown to where it is being used for general identification and fraud prevention.

Also, this is accepted in the United States courts of law as a form of identification.

Just recently a more advanced form of fingerprint scanning has hit technology using a process of live scanning.

Many vendors are beginning to offer the equipment needed to perform this and it is being sold even as we read this.

Places of employment are looking into this new form of fingerprinting to identify employees and their comings and goings.

Newer Faster Methods

Do a Google search for automated fingerprint identification system and page after page of companies pop up.

Many of the companies are now making small scanners that are portable and will fit right in the palm of a hand.

Yes, this may be great for person identification if needed quickly, but what if is isn’t used morally, then this can actually endanger a person if one thinks about it.

One has to ask the question how all of these fingerprints that are stored in a database, along with millions of others identifications, are being use.

How Safe are We

With the new automated fingerprint identification system all the persons identifications are stored in massive databanks.

For the FBI and police this is a very quick way to get someone’s identification.

But for the common person what is this going to do other than keep tabs on America’s population to be utilized when the time comes as seen fit by authorities?

This is not going to protect the person in anyway at all, and what if the person does not want all their personal information out there to begin with?

Do we have a right to say we do not want this done, and if we refuse what happens to those who have government benefits and such if this is going to be used as the future form of identification?

Personal Information is Personal

Our personal information is just as it reads ‘personal’. Many question if AFIS is taking away our basic rights.

As great as the automated fingerprint identification system may be to some agencies it can become a huge problem.

What if this database it hacked? Sabotage in the form of viruses, worms and compromised security is a daily event.

All one has to do is listen to the news and computers and consumers personal information repeatedly are being compromised.

There are those that wonder if this is a security measure or a way of being spied on. Many feel this is just yet another way Big Brother to spy on, for control purposes, the general population.

Our right to privacy is becoming a question of history. With the fingerprinting systems and the RFID Chips, where do the people draw the line?