US to hold Britons' fingerprints

Binaural

http://news.aol.co.uk/us-to-hold-britons-fingerprints/article/20070107151109990002

US to hold Britons' fingerprints

Man is fingerprinted at a US airport


Civil rights campaigners have pledged to fight US plans to keep the fingerprints of British tourists on a criminal database.

British and EU visitors will be forced to have all 10 fingers scanned as they enter the country, according to The Observer.

This information would then be shared with intelligence agencies, including the FBI.

Critics say the scheme will turn law-abiding citizens into terror suspects.

Britons visiting the US already have their credit card and email accounts inspected by American authorities following a deal struck between the European Union and the US Department of Homeland Security last autumn.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of the civil rights group Liberty said: "The UK has pioneered the flawed notion that the more intrusive and unwieldy the database of innocent people - the safer the country.

"As if it didn't have enough of its own problems, the US government now appears to be following suit.''

The Foreign Office confirmed the fingerprinting scheme was being put in place.

A spokesman said: "This is really a matter for the US authorities. Obviously as with any country there should be discussions as to how this should progress.

"This appears to still be in the planning stage and we cannot comment further until we have had the chance to discuss this with our US counterparts.''

US Airport scanners currently take two finger prints from travellers.

The move to 10 prints is due to be introduced in the summer. The changes will make it possible for this information to be compatible with the FBI database.

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Critics warn errors in inputting finger printing data could leave some travellers victims of false match.

Travellers were also expected to face increased delays and queuing as a result of the scheme.

But the Department of Homeland Security insisted the intrusive new rules would not deter travellers from visiting the US.

A spokeswoman said: "That was what people said when we introduced the two-digit system, but that has not happened.''

The civil rights movement have accused the US and EU authorities of using terrorism as an excuse to introduce intrusive surveillance schemes.

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This is grossly unfair and intrusive.

Heineken Helen

This makes me seriously uncomfortable :mad: and makes me think even more about terrorism and conspiracy theories. Very few of the terrorists were actually convicted of anything beforehand so I just don't see the point of it if they're using it as an anti-terror measure... there's obviously much more to it than that. Who knows HOW far this can go, before long they'll be sharing all this information with all governments (which they will probably do in secret anyway) and next thing they'll want a sample of everyone's dna and make us all carry identity cards... they could frame anyone for absolutely anything if that's the case.

Makes me rethink going to the States :(

Peter C

Could they take the palm print and get a gypsie to read the passengers future to see if they are going to commit a terrorist act in their future?

FinsburyParkCarrots

If they could lose the current president's driving conviction records, I wouldn't worry.

catefrances

better get a lawyer son. better make it a good one.


if they want my prints, they can have my middle finger.

Binaural

Heineken Helen wrote:

This makes me seriously uncomfortable :mad: and makes me think even more about terrorism and conspiracy theories. Very few of the terrorists were actually convicted of anything beforehand so I just don't see the point of it if they're using it as an anti-terror measure... there's obviously much more to it than that. Who knows HOW far this can go, before long they'll be sharing all this information with all governments (which they will probably do in secret anyway) and next thing they'll want a sample of everyone's dna and make us all carry identity cards... they could frame anyone for absolutely anything if that's the case.

Makes me rethink going to the States :(

Why go to America when you can go to Cannada instead?

Binaural

catefrances wrote:

better get a lawyer son. better make it a good one.


if they want my prints, they can have my middle finger.

I know, I have always been iffy about going to America and it's shit like this that does it, it gives the country and it's people a negative image. I wasn't even aware of the two print system. Doesn't look like I'll be going there anytime soon.

catefrances

Binaural wrote:

I know, I have always been iffy about going to America and it's shit like this that does it, it gives the country and it's people a negative image. I wasn't even aware of the two print system. Doesn't look like I'll be going there anytime soon.

perhaps if they worked on the root causes of terrorism they wouldn't have to be so security anal.

Binaural

catefrances wrote:

perhaps if they worked on the root causes of terrorism they wouldn't have to be so security anal.

I'm sure they're doing all they can

catefrances

Binaural wrote:

I'm sure they're doing all they can

oh i'm sure they are.

Heineken Helen

Binaural wrote:

Why go to America when you can go to Cannada instead?

that's true but I've been promising somebody for a long time that I'd visit and I like to stay true to my word... this makes me nervous though.

dunkman

Binaural wrote:

British and EU visitors will be forced to have all 10 fingers scanned as they enter the country, according to The Observer.

what if you only have 9 fingers.....



or 11 :eek:

catefrances

dunkman1974 wrote:

what if you only have 9 fingers.....



or 11 :eek:

then you are clearly capable of great malfeasance against the United States government and will not be allowed to enter the sacred place.

Binaural

catefrances wrote:

then you are clearly capable of great malfeasance against the United States government and will not be allowed to enter the sacred place.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Genius

Binaural

dunkman1974 wrote:

what if you only have 9 fingers.....



or 11 :eek:

That makes you a terrorist!

chopitdown

dunkman1974 wrote:

what if you only have 9 fingers.....



or 11 :eek:

damn right you'd be a terrorist

Inigo Montoya: I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?

Man in Black: Do you always begin conversations this way?

Inigo Montoya: My father was slaughtered by a six-fingered man. He was a great swordmaker, my father. When the six-fingered man appeared and requested a special sword. My father took the job. He slaved a year before it was done.

Man in Black: I've never seen its equal.

Inigo Montoya: The six-fingered man returned and demanded it, but at one tenth his promised price, my father refused. Without a word, the six-fingered man slashed him through the heart.