16.08.2017 - 12:25 [ Techdirt ]

Proposed Law Would Turn US Borders Into Unblinking Eyes With A Thirst For Human DNA

The law would allow border security agencies to obtain Defense Department surveillance gear, with an eye on round-the-clock surveillance in some form and increased gathering of biometric information. More specifically, the bill asks for this:

„The Secretary shall create a system or upgrade an existing system (if a Department system already has capability and capacity for storage) to allow for storage of iris scans and voice prints of aliens that can be used by the Department, other Federal agencies, and State and local law enforcement for identification, remote authentication, and verification of aliens. The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent possible, that the system for storage of iris scans and voice prints is compatible with existing State and local law enforcement systems that are used for collection and storage of iris scans or voice prints for criminal aliens.“

This will be fed by the DHS‘s biometric entry-exit collection, meaning it won‘t just be foreign visitors adding to the pile of biometric data. The law calls for the program to be put in place at all high traffic ports of entry (including major airports) within two years. As we‘ve seen from previous pilot programs, there‘s no good way to ensure US persons aren‘t swept up in the biometric scanning.