A couple of good articles discussing the implications of ubiquitous biometric technology are out today…
Does rise of biometrics mean a future without anonymity? (Contra Costa Times)
“There are multiple benefits to society in using this form of identification,” said Anil Jain, a Michigan State University computer science and engineering professor, adding the technologies could prove “transformative.”
…
With face recognition, for example, “in 10 years the technology is going to be so good you can identify people in public places very easily,” said Joseph Atick, a face-recognition innovator and co-founder of the trade group International Biometrics & Identification Association. But misusing it could result in “a world that is worse than a big-brother state,” he warned, adding, “society is just beginning to catch up to what the consequence of this is.”
Businesses to use facial recognition (The Advocate)
Imagine arriving at a hotel to be greeted by name, because a computer has analyzed your appearance as you approached the front door.
Or a salesman who IDs you and uses a psychological profile to nudge you to pay more for a car.