Technology Review is running this story:
https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/11/20/1107002/clear-airport-identity-management-biometrics-facial-recognition/ about Clear, a company that is trying to expand from airport expedited-security, to security and ID for many other transactions. (Alt link at https://archive.ph/2hbgC)
If you've ever been through a large US airport, you're probably at least vaguely aware of Clear. Maybe your interest (or irritation) has been piqued by the pods before the security checkpoints, the attendants in navy blue vests who usher clients to the front of the security line (perhaps just ahead of you), and the sometimes pushy sales pitches to sign up and skip ahead yourself.
[...]
Its position in airports has made Clear Secure, with its roughly $3.75 billion market capitalization, the most visible biometric identity company in the United States. Over the past two decades, Clear has put more than 100 lanes in 58 airports across the US, and in the past decade it has entered 17 sports arenas and stadiums, from San Jose to Denver to Atlanta. Now you can also use its identity verification platform to rent tools at Home Depot, put your profile in front of recruiters on LinkedIn, and, as of this month, verify your identity as a rider on Uber.
[...]
The company that has helped millions of vetted members skip airport security lines is now working to expand its "frictionless," "face-first" line-cutting service from the airport to just about everywhere, online and off, by promising to verify that you are who you say you are and you are where you are supposed to be. In doing so, CEO Caryn Seidman Becker told investors in an earnings call earlier this year, it has designs on being no less than the "identity layer of the internet," as well as the "universal identity platform" of the physical world.All you have to do is show up—and show your face.
It goes on to explain the origins of Clear, rising out of the bankruptcy of earlier biometrics company VIP. Then it finally gets to the major problems of using biometrics for security, and also having one company handle security for many aspects of life.
Well worth a read if you are interested in the future of proving who you are.
P.S. Dept. line references this: https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/soul-theft-through-photography/
(Score: 3, Interesting) by pkrasimirov on Wednesday November 27, @03:03PM (1 child)
This was an extraordinary good inquiry into the "steal my soul by photo" topic, thank you!
https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/soul-theft-through-photography/ [skepticalinquirer.org]
(Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 27, @06:27PM
You are welcome. As I was putting the story together I remembered that some Native Americans would refuse to be photographed and it might make a good "Dept." line. But then I realized that I knew almost nothing about that story (likely heard in grade school, 50+ years ago). Google came up with the Skeptic link.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 27, @08:47PM (3 children)
Somehow I sense more Experian / Equifax fiascos brewing.
2017:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=equifax+data+breach [duckduckgo.com]
2023:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=experian+data+breach [duckduckgo.com]
Too many eggs in one basket IMO. But then I have to ask just how does one *prove* identity to strangers?
Even DNA and other biometrics are spoofable when you know what the verifier is looking for. My last holdout seems to be my own circle of family, friends, and close business associates who recognize me in person. It's why I still do my banking through a brick-and-mortar bank with real tellers that I recognize and they recognize me.
I can always change accounts and passwords...I cannot change my biometrics. It alarms me to have this on a general database. Having an SSN is risky enough when used to confirm identity.
Humans are devious when motivated. We are not deterministic. This is what scares me about adopting AI. I thought one of the main reasons we do willingly adopted automated data processing was it's deterministic nature, doing exactly as instructed, repeatedly, with absolute accuracy, at ungodly speed and capacity. The last thing I want in there is the machine changing its own algorithms ( learning ), as then it becomes just as fallable as I am.
Machines make excellent servants but terrible bosses.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 27, @09:51PM (2 children)
> Machines make excellent servants but terrible bosses.
While I agree with your sentiment, that doesn't seem be the case for everyone. How many times have you heard someone say, "That's what the computer says, it must be correct"? Whatever their job, they are effectively taking directions from the computer and often (in my experience) are not going to dig any deeper.
(Score: 3, Funny) by pkrasimirov on Thursday November 28, @06:53AM
Is this related to the car that fell off a bridge because Google maps said so?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 28, @09:57AM
That's a system problem not a computer problem. If your manager/supervisor will believe the computer over you, and most will, then there is no point arguing with the computer. Your boss will take its side.