I fly a lot. Unfortunately last year I didn't fly enough to qualify for Executive Premier status which allows me to use the short security lines. For this reason I was looking into the FlyClear program.
http://www.flyclear.com/about/When I got to reading the requirements for qualification I got a little freaked out by the required retina scan. The Gubment already has my fingerprints and a buttload of information about me I'm sure but I balked at sending a retina scan to our benevolent Gubment for my file.
Then today this story comes out.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/02/04/fbi.biometrics/index.html The FBI is gearing up to create a massive computer database of people's physical characteristics, all part of an effort the bureau says to better identify criminals and terrorists.
The FBI wants to use eye scans, combined with other data, to help identify suspects. But it's an issue that raises major privacy concerns -- what one civil liberties expert says should concern all Americans.
The bureau is expected to announce in coming days the awarding of a $1 billion, 10-year contract to help create the database that will compile an array of biometric information -- from palm prints to eye scans.
Kimberly Del Greco, the FBI's Biometric Services section chief, said adding to the database is "important to protect the borders to keep the terrorists out, protect our citizens, our neighbors, our children so they can have good jobs, and have a safe country to live in."
Now I'm glad I didn't sign up. It might be too little too late but I'll keep my retina's to myself as long as I can.