I Don't Like This

In Jefferson County, Colorado, you can no longer go shopping unless you are willing to submit to fingerprinting or have the ability cash to pay. All check and credit card transactions will now require people to submit their fingerprints. I don't understand how in the world this is legal or why anyone would be willing to submit to this. The article claims that the fingerprints won't be maintained. I don't believe that for one second. If the fingerprints were only maintained until the transaction cleared as is claimed, they would be of little use. A stolen credit card purchase could easily clear the day after the purchase was made but the transaction may not be noticed as fraudulent for a week or a month or two months depending on when the cardholder realized the loss.

There is a new mall near Golden that is preparing to open, the Colorado Mills mall. All of the other area malls - Cherry Creek, Flat Irons, Park Meadows - would do well to advertise that they won't fingerprint you if you want to buy their wares. Actually, I guess Flat Irons may be in Jefferson County. I can't tell precisely from this map. Yeah, yeah. I know. The consumer databases maintained by the credit card companies are probably as invasive if not worse than the move to fingerprint people. But for some reason I can draw a line between data compilation and biometirc data collection.

Man, this sort of invasion of privacy pisses me off. If one county gets away with it, the invasiveness will surely move to other counties and states. No where on the county website could I readily find more information about this program. Could it possibly be because it is a terrible idea that is best not publicized? Will people really submit themselves to this? I hope not.

I notice that the domain names boycottjeffco.org and .com are both still available.

Jonathan 10/01/2002 12:11:00 PM