One clear way to mark the advancement of technology is to follow the government's use of that technology to further invade our lives.
In this article we are going to look at Bio-metrics and RFID to determine the limitations, precautions and methods of limiting or defeating their encroachment in our lives, or in the case of some needed benefit, how to limit their destructive and sometimes dangerous consequences.
In order for the government or a company to apply bio-metric technology; the organization must first obtain the base sample data with which to compare against any future collects. When obtaining this base sample data there are two primary broad scope methods, either passive or active. A passive collection method can be obtained without the subject necessarily knowing it is being done. An active sample is when we "volunteer" or are an active participant when the sample is taken. We'll discuss this more as we visit each item.
The most widespread uses of bio-metric schemes for identification and tracking include:
1. Hand/Palm print identification: Hand and palm print identification can only be used after having loaded your hand and/or palm data into the database. This normally cannot be done without you personally submitting your hand for electronic measurement. The measurements taken are then stored for later comparison against future scans. The best way to overcome this identification scheme is to not submit to the scan in the first place. Once the data is on file there is no foolproof means of overcoming this scan short of surgical alterations which we do not recommend.
2. Iris pattern identification: As with the hand and palm print identification above, the iris is scanned by and infrared scanning device to map the folds of the iris. This provides a unique pattern trace that can identify an individual similar to that of a fingerprint. Unlike the fingerprint obtaining the base scan is not as easy as lifting a fingerprint. As with #1 above this identification scheme must have your involvement in being scanned to place this data into the database. There is no way currently to passively acquire this data and as long as you do not submit to being scanned you are fairly safe.
3. Facial recognition: This technique has garnered wide spread support from both government and business sectors. The technology today is such that this can be accomplished with surprising speed and accuracy. By mapping the face and taking measurements of key features the software can identify someone with remarkable regularity. The baseline data for this system can be acquired by both passive and active means. If the identity of the subject is already known; an image is scanned into the system and key features are mapped. There is no problem with scale on this technique as the basis for recognition is based on the relationship of each key feature to the others as well as the individual measurements. This is probably the hardest of all to overcome simply from the shear ease of obtaining the data. There is only marginal success with defeating a passive identification which would be to utilize dark oversized glasses, hats that cast shadow across the face and other facial obscurants. Of course this would also make us stand out from everyone else as well. Second best, stay away from public cameras, which is becoming harder and harder to do. As a side note: the FBI is building the largest database for facial recognition identification ever built and is spending one billion dollars to fill it. Coincidently the new Real ID Act requires that the issuing agency: "Subject each person applying for a driver's license or identification card to mandatory facial image capture." As nothing happens in politics or government by accident we would have to assume there is a connection.
4. Speech/speaker recognition/identification: Ever notice that you can identify many people just by their voice. Well science has taken this one step forward. Now we can obtain a recording of a person's voice and derive a signature that matches that distinct individual. This can be used to also identify a person based on voice inflection, pitch, and a myriad of other characteristics. The remarkable thing about this is that even when trying to disguise your voice it may still identify you. Again the primary thing is to not get your voice print placed in the database. The downside is this data can be collected passively by parabolic microphones, wire taps, or any other means that records voice data.
5. DNA: Okay, we've all seen CSI and know about DNA. Even the smallest trace can be processed to provide identifiable information. The good thing is they must already have your DNA on file to compare against, or they must obtain a sample. Now if you have served in the military within the last 10 years then they already have it on file. If they ever connect the medical records to the government computers, say to establish a national medical coverage, then were all hosed. If you want to keep out of the DNA spotlight then you must be very cognizant of anything you throw away. Everything that is used on or around your body may have potential DNA evidence. Cigarette butts may contain DNA from saliva cells, women utilizing feminine hygiene products, hair brushes which may contain live follicles, the list is endless. To be absolutely sure you have a couple of choices, burn everything or take your trash to the landfill personally and dispose of any potential items separately from your normal trash and shred anything with identifiable information on it so the trash cannot be directly traced to you or your residence.
6. Vascular pattern identification: This is another one for the SCI-FI folks. They collect this data from looking at your hand under an infrared device that identifies the unique mapping of your blood vessels. Obviously this requires up close and personal contact for them to acquire this and normally cannot be passively acquired. So in this case do not volunteer to have your hand scanned and you should be safe.
7. Gait/body recognition: This scheme is a little on the fringe but is still usable. We all know someone that you can recognize from a block away simply by how they walk. This process uses that same concept by analyzing how we walk and the relationship to our body measurements; such as knee to ankle, and/or knee to hip, how our arms swing, etcetera. This can definitely be collected passively, and more often than not they want it that way so as to ensure they are getting a "natural" gait when walking. We all tend to walk a little cautiously when we think we are being observed. There are subtle things that can be done to alter our signature gait such as wearing lifts in your shoes, placing your hands in your pockets, and many other things. The biggest problem is knowing when they are collecting against you. As this can and should be done passively we probably would not know it was being done until it was too late.
8. Facial thermography: Is just what is says, measuring the heat signature of the face. Each individual looks uniquely different due to the underlying structure of bone, cartilage, fat, and muscles. Each structure changes what our face looks like when viewed under an infrared camera. Those differences create a map can help to identify a person. Again as this can be captured passively there is not much we can do as we cannot walk around with a thermal ski mask over our face each day. We can however not volunteer to provide the sample and make them work to get it.
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification (see article in this edition). RFID has entrenched itself into every major area of our society. As with any technology there is often two sides; potential benefits and potential abuses.
RFID can greatly increase the ability of a company to manage and track inventories and order processing. The other side is that it also has the potential to be the means to "track" every citizen as they go about their daily lives.
So how do we balance the good and the bad? We do so by knowing the strengths and limitations of the devices and act accordingly. As with every technology, none are perfect and neither are they foolproof, this is what we will explore.
The RFID chip is comprised of a brain or storage cell that holds data. Some have a power supply while others have to be activated by an interrogator to "power" the cell. As with any device it must have all components working correctly or the entire unit fails. With this in mind; simply disabling any part of the device will render the device inert. This can be accomplished by removing the device and smashing the chip or clipping a section of the antenna (the small wire that is coiled around the chip).
You many not always be able to detect the presence of a chip simply by looking; as some manufacturers imbed the device within the item. For any item you suspect has an RFID chip you can simply microwave the device for a short period of time; which will render the device inoperable. Use extreme caution to ensure the item does not catch fire. Some chips have been known to emit a spark when micro waved and start a fire. This may be particularly true for clothes with tags sewn into the linings of the garment.
A follow on point to remember; as RFID chips become more widely used, especially in government, the deactivation of an RFID chip may be as suspicious or problematic as having an active device. The RFID passport, for instance, will be deemed void if the passport is presented without a working chip. Also, as RFID chips further infiltrate the system; other items such as driver's licenses or identification could be voided, or at a minimum not honored, due to not being able to be read.
One of the better options for these types of devices would be to block the device from being read until you want them to be. This can be accomplished by placing the item containing the chip in a metal or screen mesh device that will block signals from being received. This could be something as simple as tin foil wrapped around the item or a metal case similar to a metal cigarette case.
I personally destroy any RFID device that is not attached to an official item, such as a passport. For an official item I will ensure that it is enclosed by a blocking device.
Michael LeMieux is a retired U.S. Army intelligence and imagery analyst, and has served combat tours in Kuwait and Afghanistan with the 19th Special Forces. He is a Purple Heart recipient for injuries received in Afghanistan. Mr. LeMieux is the author of Unalienable Rights and the denial of the U.S. Constitution, published by Publish America. You can contact Mr. LeMieux via his website at http://www.constitutiondenied.com
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