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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Illinois library to get fingerprint scanners
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 09:14:54 -0700
From: Xeni Jardin <xeni@xeni.net>
To: 'Declan McCullagh' <declan@well.com>

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Fingerprint scanners coming to Illinois library


Library officials in a Chicago suburb plan to scan and record visitor
fingerprints, purportedly to prevent unauthorized persons from using library
computers. Way to make libraries a more happyfun haven of knowledge, guys!

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     The scanners _ to be installed on 130 library computers this summer _
will verify the identity of computer users. Library officials said they
wanted to tighten computer access because many people borrow library cards
and pass codes from friends or family to log on. The technology also will
help the library implement a new policy that allows parents to put filters
on their children's' accounts, officials said.

     But privacy advocates have criticized the plan, which would make
Naperville only the second library system in the nation to use
fingerprint-scanning technology, according to the American Library
Association. "We take people's fingerprints because we think they might be
guilty of something, not because they want to use the library," said Ed
Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union in Illinois.

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Link to AP article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/20/AR2005052001433.html

Posted by Declan McCullagh on May 23, 2005 in category privacy

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