[Eyes Unclouded]

Thoughts?

[papasmurf]

I’ve read the comments, and although this guy does sound like a knee jerking left wing nut, I have to agree that too many people have way too much information on us. There should be, at minimum, disclosure beforehand.

I’ve been to auctions, with a bank LOC in hand, and they wanted to photocopy my dl. I told them to pound sand, and they “waived” that requirement.

I’m not so worried about id theft, as I have mechanisms in place to help prevent that. I’m more concerned about my physical address than anything else. There is an awful lot of home invasions nowadays, and having an address of your victim in advance is a bonus for the crooks.

[sushiman]

I was proofed at a restaurant in the Smithhaven Mall on Long Island 6 years ago ...when I was 49 ! I have been told I look young , but under 21 ? No way !

[longtermmemmory]

I find this to be a transparent way to grow a mailing list.

(I thought houstons had gone out of business.)

This has NOTHING to do with security, this has everything to do with recording data for marketing. The recording is being SOLD as security.

I would think recording such data would run afoul of identity theft laws.

Just wait for the first ID theft lawsuit from this idiotic marketing scam effort.

[AppyPappy]

Here’s how it works:

A minor goes into a bar and orders a drink. He gets carded and produces a fake ID that passes the waiter’s check. Later, he leaves the bar and gets stopped. He produces his real ID that shows he is underage. It is better to get busted for being underage than to be busted for being underage AND in possession of a fake ID. The bar is now in trouble for serving alcohol to a minor.

Luckily for most bars, minors are stupid enough to keep the ID’s together so it gets found when they search the wallet. But that is the big deal with fake ID’s.

[snowsislander]

The first thing I wanted to know was, of course, if civilians scanning state-issued drivers licenses constituted a dangerous and insecure situation. "The situation with hackers -- can the data be intercepted, can the database be hacked -- is scary, but it's not really a realistic threat when you consider the other information available to them, like credit card numbers and social security numbers," he replied. "This is just yet another database of information on you."

There isn't a lot someone can do with your driver's license number -- it's not nearly as important as a social security number, unless you live in a state like Arizona which uses your SSN as your driver's license number.

I am surprised that Mr. Schneier didn't point out that several states include the SSN in the encoded information on the driving licenses that they issue, so any "swiping" of information from those licenses could also be a serious breach of personal information.

[No.6]

A scan to verify is reasonable. Storing the results is probably actionable, as it exposes the customer to fraud/identity theft.

I’ve had waitstaff ask not only for my card but for my PIN before (they didn’t get either after that blatant effort) so I know that there are scum out there ready to rip you off (Sir, I would recommend against the lobster bisque).

It’s perfectly reasonable to want to not accidentally serve underage patrons, but it’s even more reasonable not to allow unprincipled staff and less principled corporations to walk off with and store personal identification.

Instead of writing a futile and p—sy little column, the author should have filed suit against the restaurant. There is nothing that brings swift and decisive action like the fear of loss.

[evets]

The beer of the beast

[elkfersupper]

We have de facto prohibition now in this country.

Most people just don't know it.

Yes, people of age can still buy booze, one just cannot safely consume or transport it---anywhere.