Truste finds support for biometric IDs
Despite some misgivings, an overwhelming number of Americans favour the use of biometric identifiers in passports, driver licences and Social Security cards, reports Computerworld. This is according to a new survey by Truste, a US-based non-profit online privacy certification organisation.
The same is true when it comes to the use of biometric IDs in credit and debit cards, although most of those who responded to the survey appear to be reluctant to share biometric data with retailers because of privacy concerns.
A full 82% of the respondents in the survey said they support the use of biometrics in passports, while more than 72% support adding it to Social Security cards and driver licences.
Aqua upgrades biometric system
Cape-based Aqua Software Solutions has upgraded its biometric online employee management system by adding the Sagem MorphoTouch II, with GPRS capabilities.
The system allows clients to review and monitor all staff-related issues, from attendance to performance reviews.
MorphoTouch can be mounted or placed in any environment where a cellphone signal is available and is used by at least one Cape Town cab company to keep track of its meter taxi drivers.
Ghana introduces biometric clock
The Ghana government will, by the end of January, complete the installation of a biometric clock system, says minister of public sector reform, Paa Kwesi-Nduom.
Voice of America quotes him as saying the purpose is for government workers to clock in when they arrive at their workplaces and clock out when they leave. He also said it would guarantee high productivity within the public sector.
The minister said the government wants to improve work conditions in the public sector to make it more efficient.
Latvia signs biometric e-passport deal
The Latvian government has awarded Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) a contract to produce 1.1 million electronic passports (e-passports) over the next five years.
G&D will also supply all the necessary systems for data capture and processing, personalisation and issuing of the documents. The first e-passports will be issued to the citizens of Latvia in the third quarter of 2007.
An EU member state since 2004, the Republic of Latvia is the second country (after the Republic of Macedonia) to choose G&D as prime contractor for issuing electronic passports.
ID tech leaves passengers waiting at Gatwick
Passengers face delays at Britain's Gatwick Airport because of problems with new iris-recognition equipment, a Tory MP has told The Argus.
Ben Wallace said an official report on trials of the technology showed it had failed half of its assessments. He said it was further proof that government plans to introduce ID cards were "running off the tracks" and could prove unworkable.
However, the Home Office said the initial problems had been dealt with and the system - now in operation at several major airports - was a success.
Nothing but the truth!
New lie detector software from Israel claims to be able to tell if the person you are chatting to is telling the truth, reports myadsl.co.za.
Since signing a deal in December with Internet telephony giant Skype, the company's server has crashed five times after tens of thousands of Web users rushed to download the free lie detector.
The six employees of BATM subsidiary KishKish, in Israel and Bulgaria, developed the add-on, which has an interface resembling a real polygraph, complete with monitors and needles.
Share