Privacy and prejudice: whose ID is it anyway

Privacy and prejudice: whose ID is it anyway

FROM New Scientist Magazine issue 2517 by Duncan Graham-Rowe


Who will be the winners and losers of the identity revolution, in an age when each of us is assigned a digital identity?

In the second part of New Scientist's special report into the identity revolution, Duncan Graham-Rowe investigates what impact the widespread introduction of biometrics will have on society.

Who will be the winners and losers in an age when each of us is assigned a digital identity? How will our lives change, and what impact will this revolution have on our personal privacy?

IN JUST a few years from now, every citizen of most western countries, and probably many more besides, will be required to carry their digital identity with them wherever they go. Our digital personas will be derived from biometrics that are unique to each of us, such as fingerprints, iris patterns and facial profiles. And this digital identity will open doors, in some cases literally, giving us access to our home, workplace, finances and medical records. It is designed to give each of us instant access to the ...

The complete article is 2905 words long.
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