There are three stages in every plan to force people into using various identification technologies. This has been the case since the invention of the driver’s license.
- Stage 1: Convenience
- Stage 2: Security and Access
- Stage 3: Mandate
We experienced this to some extent with the vaccine passports. At first it made it easier for you to go places. It quickly became a necessity from a security perspective granting the vaccinated the ability to see loved ones in the hospital, access schools, travel, and keep certain jobs. We fell just shy of hitting the full-blown mandate level, other than those poor souls who lost their careers for not getting jabbed.
Biometric identification is burgeoning and we’re already in Stage 1. It’s hitting airports across the country and we can expect it to be ubiquitous for “convenient” air travel very soon.
According to Biometric Update:
Delta has announced that its digital ID program is now expanding to three major airports – Los Angeles (LAX), LaGuardia (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International (JFK), the latter of which launches on December 14th. The program uses biometric face matching to eliminate the need for manual ID checks at checkpoints like bag drop and security.
The program is eligible for customers who have a TSA PreCheck membership, have a free SkyMiles membership, and have the Fly Delta app. They must also have their passport information and a Known Traveler Number stored in their Delta profile.
Eligible customers get an automatic notification in the app when traveling from an airport with the digital ID program. Once they opt in, the Delta Digital ID becomes a part of their SkyMiles profile. Customers can opt out at any time and Delta does not store any biometric data, the announcement notes. The face biometrics capability at the original Delta Digital ID locations is provided by Pangiam.
Once their information is verified, customers can use Delta Digital ID to check bags and move through security without needing to show their physical ID. Individuals go to the line designated for digital IDs with the green “Delta Digital ID” icon and look into the camera at the checkpoint to use their digital IDs in place of physical IDs.
The amount of time saved at security lines varies depending on airport volume, but travelers with Delta Digital IDs enabled spend an average of 30 seconds at bag drop, compared to a standard bag drop time of two minutes.
This is how it starts. Today, biometric identification makes things supposedly easier. This is going to appeal to millions of people as they make it harder and harder for those not on the program to get through the gate. All it will take is a terrorist attack for this to become a security solution.
Will it eventually be mandated? Probably. Will it expand outside of air travel? It already is. Will everyone not living off the grid be pressured to participate? You betcha.
