The Biometric Debate

In case any of you have missed it, I'm enjoying a knock-out discussion with Stephen Wilson.

Stephen decided to take me to task over my contention that governments will force us into biometric banking.

That started over here in mid-June.

Over the weekend, Stephen then moved the debate to this entry on Finextra.

I will admit that I see zero benefit in the argument: here's a technology that is still not up to the job so I discount it forever, which is how I see Stephen's argument.

I prefer a constructive discussion that goes more like: here's a technology that will be inevitable in use for governments to track identities and avoid cross-border crime and terrorism, so how can we develop, exploit and use it?

Any thoughts welcome.

Comments

[Dave Birch]

I'd like add nuance to the debate: how can we use biometrics to enhance authentication without adding to "Big Brother" surveillance? (Hint: smart cards, particularly the ones in mobile phones...)

[Chris Skinner]

Dave's also added a great blog on this debate here:
http://digitaldebateblogs.typepad.com/digital_money/2008/07/barcampbank-bio.html#more.