Marines Using Biometric Scanning to Cordon Fallujah
Noah Shachtman, currently reporting in Iraq, explains how the Marines are using biometric scanning devices to degrade passage in or out of Fallujah:The Marines have walled off Fallujah, and closed the city's roads to traffic. The only way in is to have a badge. And the only way to get a badge is to have Marines snap your picture, scan your irises, and take all ten of your fingerprints. Only then can you get into the city....
There are still plenty of holes in the nets. The biometric systems don't all talk to one another. Nor do they interface, really, with the other fingerprint- and iris-tracking systems used in other parts of Iraq. Getting the machines to work far, far out in the field can give a Marine migraines. (And, for today, let's not even get into the privacy and human-rights implications.) But, in combination with other measures, the badges do seem to be having an effect. After years of bombs and machine gun fire, the city of Fallujah has suddenly gone quiet.
Iraq Diary: Fallujah's Biometric Gates< [Danger Room]
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Isn't this how American airports operate?
It is how they will.
They're just practicing for when the neo-cons bomb another US target, blame Iran and declare Marshall law in the US next year...they're coming for US.
I like the idea of Marshall law -- would that we had it -- but you're thinking of "martial law."
I'd thought that one of the things that would distinguish a boingboing gadget blog from other gadget blogs would be the total absence of phrases like "And, for today, let's not even get into the privacy and human-rights implications.".
I'm disappointed that that's not the case.
Fair enough, Adam, but that quote is from the article, not from me. That said, if you're familiar with Noah's work, you'll know that he's not one to shirk from issues of privacy and personal freedom. I think for the purposes of that piece, he's simply trying to report how the gear is being used and the implications it has on the operation of that town.
Of course, we can always discuss it ourselves! For instance, in the context of war and securing one of the most embattled cities in Iraq, I can understand the use of scanning during egress. I don't support the overall war, myself, but if there's any time for "Papers, please," it's in a war zone.