The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.

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The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.

For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.

Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.

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The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Ridge Seeks Fingerprints on Passports

CNN and the Associated Press are reporting that outgoing Homeland Security Secretary is calling for the fingerprinting of all US passport holders. He says that they can "offer assurances" that the use of the fingerprints would be limited. To what? He doesn't say.

Yahoo! News - Ridge Seeks Fingerprints on Passports:
"WASHINGTON - The United States should put the fingerprints of its citizens on passports to enhance global security, outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Wednesday in a recommendation risking a privacy fight at home.
Ridge said passports could ideally include biometric finger scans - for all 10 fingers - to help customs officials quickly and accurately identify U.S. travelers. He offered no details on how the plan might deal with privacy concerns or guard against international identity theft.
'If we're going to ask the rest of the world to put fingerprints on their passports, we ought to put our fingerprints on our passports,' Ridge said in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies before heading overseas to talk about security ties with the European Union (news - web sites).
'Now, culturally, historically, there are a lot of reasons that some countries are averse or very reluctant to give people finger scans,' Ridge said. He said that by offering assurances that use would be limited and benefits would be significant, 'we could get the world to move more quickly toward a common international standard.' ..."

Also on CNN: Ridge presses for fingerprints on passports - Jan 12, 2005

Labels: identity theft, information breaches