The FBI is kicking off the new year by starting an ambitious project to create the world's largest database of biometric information on people both in this country and abroad. According to the Washington Post the federal agency will award a 10 year contract next month that will significantly expand the amount and kinds of information they receive about an individual's physical characteristics. While the FBI claims this new information is necessary for modern law enforcement, there is something extremely unsettling about the feds expanding from storing digital images of fingerprints and palm patterns to keeping tabs on iris patterns, face-shape data and perhaps even records of the way people walk and talk.

One of the concerns raised in the Post's article is whether the FBI would be able to fully ensure that the data will be secure. If you thought having your driver's license stolen was annoying, wait until a criminal steals your iris image. "Unlike say, a credit card number, biometric data is forever," Silicon Valley insider Paul Saffo told the paper. "If someone steals and spoofs your iris image, you can't just get a new eyeball." The leadership at the FBI promises that the data will be safe, but there need to be specific safeguards put in place before this system goes into widespread use.

If you're a traveler you've probably seen the use of biometric data in action. Recently the Department of Homeland Security has worked with private vendors to establish a registered traveler program which allows frequent travelers to speed through airport security after verifying a fingerprint or iris image.

The FBI's proposed program comes at a cost to taxpayers of over 1 billion dollars, and was quickly approved by Congress with little fanfare. If everything works out the way the government hopes eventually a police officer making a traffic stop will be able to run a 10-fingerprint check on a suspect and quickly find out if that suspect is on a list of the most wanted criminals and terrorists. Or perhaps a detective can compare palm prints from a crime scene to those in the massive database. Clearly many people will have access to extremely sensitive information, and it remains to be seen whether the government can keep this data out of the hands of the criminals.

Keep your eyes on this story as we move into 2008, it will be interesting to see what how the average American feels about this groundbreaking program now that the details have been made public. Biometrics may be the future, but right now they offer more questions than answers.

A PimpWiz Exclusive

Labels: News, Scott Bernstein, tech news