Top ATM maker signs deal with eye-scanning technology firm

http://www.techserver.com/newsroom/ntn/info/062497/info25_8064.html
      
   TRENTON, N.J. (June 24, 1997 9:38 p.m. EDT) -- NCR Corp., the world's
   top maker of automated teller machines, plans to start offering
   machines that identify the user by scanning the eye.
   
   NCR said Tuesday it teamed with Sensar Inc. to offer a system that
   could eventually replace plastic cards and memorized numbers with a
   more secure system -- cameras that confirm the user's identity by the
   unique patterns in the iris, the colored ring in the eye.
   
   Besides improving security, executives at Dayton, Ohio-based NCR
   believe the system will make it more practical to use ATMs for selling
   airline tickets, insurance and investments.

...
   
   Under the deal, NCR will distribute and service the system for banks
   and other financial institutions around the world, except in Japan,
   where Sensar has a $42 million contract to develop the technology for
   ATMs.
   
   "We've still got a few kinks we're working out," said Kevin B.
   McQuade, vice president for strategic business development at
   Moorestown-based Sensar, adding that the company expects to begin mass
   production in a year.

>    TRENTON, N.J. (June 24, 1997 9:38 p.m. EDT) -- NCR Corp., the world's
>    top maker of automated teller machines, plans to start offering
>    machines that identify the user by scanning the eye.

This is not a good idea for ATMs, I have said this many times before: 

At present unauthorised use of someones account involves stealing their 
ATM card and PIN, which is insured against if reported soon anyway. If 
biometric ID becomes commonplace theivery of this kind involves either:

1. Gouging out someones eyeball (would this actually work or would the 
damage done to the eye render it useless?)

Or, more likely:

2. Kidnapping the account holder and forcing them to ID themselves at 
gunpoint/knifepoint.


I would sure as hell rather have the inconvenience of going home and 
calling the CC company to report a stolen card, than be kidnapped and 
possible harmed for a few $.

        Datacomms Technologies data security
       Paul Bradley, Paul@fatmans.demon.co.uk
  Paul@crypto.uk.eu.org, Paul@cryptography.uk.eu.org    
       Http://www.cryptography.home.ml.org/
      Email for PGP public key, ID: FC76DA85
     "Don`t forget to mount a scratch monkey"

By the same token, the fingerprint system involves hacking off
at least a finger, and more likely both hands--after all, how
do you know I'm telling the truth about which finger it is?:)

Personally, biometric ATMs don't sound like a consumer-friendly
product to me.
MacN 

On Thu, 26 Jun 1997, Paul Bradley wrote:

> 
> >    TRENTON, N.J. (June 24, 1997 9:38 p.m. EDT) -- NCR Corp., the world's
> >    top maker of automated teller machines, plans to start offering
> >    machines that identify the user by scanning the eye.
> 
> This is not a good idea for ATMs, I have said this many times before: 
> 
> At present unauthorised use of someones account involves stealing their 
> ATM card and PIN, which is insured against if reported soon anyway. If 
> biometric ID becomes commonplace theivery of this kind involves either:
> 
> 1. Gouging out someones eyeball (would this actually work or would the 
> damage done to the eye render it useless?)
> 
> Or, more likely:
> 
> 2. Kidnapping the account holder and forcing them to ID themselves at 
> gunpoint/knifepoint.
> 
> 
> I would sure as hell rather have the inconvenience of going home and 
> calling the CC company to report a stolen card, than be kidnapped and 
> possible harmed for a few $.
> 
>         Datacomms Technologies data security
>        Paul Bradley, Paul@fatmans.demon.co.uk
>   Paul@crypto.uk.eu.org, Paul@cryptography.uk.eu.org    
>        Http://www.cryptography.home.ml.org/
>       Email for PGP public key, ID: FC76DA85
>      "Don`t forget to mount a scratch monkey"
> 
>