Disney World requiring fingerprint biometrics of all visitors

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>
Date: July 16, 2005 5:12:21 PM EDT
To: EPIC_IDOF () mailman epic org
Subject: [EPIC_IDOF] Disney World requiring fingerprint biometrics of  
all visitors


http://www.local6.com/news/4724689/detail.html

Finger Scanning At Disney Parks Causes Concern

POSTED: 5:12 pm EDT July 14, 2005
UPDATED: 10:47 am EDT July 15, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The addition of finger scanning technology at the  
entrances
of Walt Disney World theme parks for all visitors has caused concern  
among
privacy advocates, according to a Local 6 News report.

I think it's a step in the wrong direction," Civil Liberties Union  
spokesman
George Crossley said. "I think it is a step toward collection personal
information on people regardless of what Disney says.

Tourists visiting Disney theme parks in Central Florida must now provide
their index and middle fingers to be scanned before entering the front
gates.

The scans were formerly for season pass holders but now everyone must
provide their fingers, Local 6 News reported. They have reportedly been
phased in for all ticket holders during the past six months,  
according to a
report.

Disney officials said the scans help keep track of who is using  
legitimate
tickets, Local 6 News reported.

"It is technology reminiscent of "Mission Impossible" or "James  
Bond," Local
6 News reporter Jessica Sanchez said. "It works by scanning the  
ridges and
structure of your index finger and middle finger called your finger
geometry."

Disney officials said the finger scans do not take an actual  
fingerprint.
The scan recognizes certain points and outlines visitor's fingers,  
officials
said.

Critics of the new scanning technology do not agree with Disney and  
said the
scans border on a violation of privacy.

I think it's a step in the wrong direction," Civil Liberties Union  
spokesman
George Crossley said. "I think it is a step toward collection of  
personal
information on people regardless of what Disney says."

Crossley said they will be looking into the scans.

"The collecting of this fingertip information and how it is to be  
used and
what the source of that information is as it relates to what it will  
show --
I don't like it and we will look into it," Crossley said.

The finger scanning began earlier this year at some parks before  
expanding
to the entire complex, according to a report.

Universal Orlando and SeaWorld also plan to implement similar  
technology in
the future, Local 6 News reported.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.


Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All  
rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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