The battle between a desire for convenience and a desire for confidentiality may be cast aside with the swipe of your hand. I’m Amy E. Feldman.
This week, the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver became the first venue to use Amazon One, technology that lets people scan their palm prints to create a personal profile based on biometric data—the use of your physical characteristics to create a profile for automatic recognition. Amazon estimates tens of thousands of users have already signed up for it. But before you do, consider the information you’re giving away.
Most states have current or pending laws on the use of your biometric data—but only two of those states—Illinois and California—let you sue if your information is used without your consent. And unlike a credit card, if your biometric data is breached, you can’t get a spare face to avoid future hacks. So before you agree to give it away, ask where it will be stored and how it’s secured, then decide if the convenience is worth the risk.
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