So, found this on boing boing. Cory talks about an entry on the Disney Blog about how the new fingerprint scanners could be used for Evil(tm) by Walt Disney World and that they could possibly share their data with the government. Now, I’m a huge privacy advocate, but fingerprint scanners have been at WDW since at least 1997, (the first time I was there) so I’m wondering why a big fuss is being made over it. It’s good that they mention you can still get in the park if you refuse to use them (which is what I did) but always presenting the worst case scenario (Disney and the NSA are in cahoots!) gets a little old after awhile. It’s not like people *have* to go to Walt Disney World for fun. But if you do go, make a statement and refuse to use the reader. If enough people do it, then they’ll stop utilizing it. That’s the only realistic way to stop them from doing it.
One difference, is that previously WDW was scanning “geometry and shape” (dunno how those are different) of fingers but not the biometric data of the ridge pattern. Also, they do say (in rather inflammatory language, granted) that it’s still a potential danger, but that it’s downright irresponsible of them to store that data where it could be subpoenaed.
The other point they mention, however, is a good one (IMNSHO). It’s further conditioning people to expect being treated like a criminal in daily life, which makes it much easier for draconian measures to creep in slowly.
Yes, previously they could only do the math/geometry calculations on the fingerprint. However, they’ve said that even with the new system, that’s all they’re going to do. They’re not storing fingerprints, just the calculation results. Now, obviously The Mouse could be lying and is storing everything, but I think The Mouse’s desire for money is greater than its desire for controversy. In the end all they want to do is verify that Joe Average at the gate actually bought the tickets he bought as quickly as possible. And again, you do not have to get your fingerprint scanned, they’ll just check ID. Personally I think they should design a method where they can take a picture of you as you buy your tickets quickly and print them out if they’re that worried about it. Photos are much less controversial.