Topic: Fingerprinting

The telecommunications industry is developing "StirShaken," a system designed to authenticate phone numbers with a digital fingerprint to combat robocall scams. While the FCC hopes for implementation within a year, consumer advocates are concerned about who will bear the cost. The hosts remain skeptical that the system will effectively end the "explosion" of annoying calls.

The European Union has launched the Entry-Exit System (EES), a digital scheme requiring non-EU citizens to provide fingerprints and facial biometrics. The data will be stored in a cloud database for three years to track the 90-day stay limit. Implementation began at major airports in Italy and Germany, with provisions to suspend the system if wait times become excessive.

Chicago is facing a significant influx of migrants, with up to 25 buses arriving daily, leading to tension among local residents. The city's "Welcoming City Ordinance" prohibits local officials from asking about immigration status or cooperating with ICE detainment requests. This policy prevents local law enforcement from holding individuals identified in federal databases as unauthorized immigrants after they are fingerprinted for local crimes.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that White Castle violated privacy laws by requiring employees to provide fingerprints for paychecks without consent and sharing that data with third parties. The court established that each instance of fingerprinting constitutes a separate violation, potentially leading to a massive settlement. The hosts question the necessity of fingerprinting fast-food employees.

The program opens with historical trivia regarding Sing Sing Prison beginning the practice of fingerprinting prisoners on this day in 1903. A second trivia point notes that in 1812, the first U.S. foreign aid bill was authorized to provide relief for earthquake victims in Haiti and Venezuela.

An analysis of Facebook's massive written response to Congress reveals the extent of their data collection, including mouse movements, battery levels, signal strength, and nearby Wi-Fi beacons. The hosts highlight how Facebook tracks "cross-device" behavior and analyzes the content of photos to serve targeted ads, despite claims of respecting user privacy.

A news item reports on police attempting to use a deceased person's finger to unlock a smartphone, which reportedly failed. The hosts discuss the technical limitations of biometric sensors on dead tissue and the legal implications of such searches.

The Brave Browser, created by Mozilla co-founder Brendan Eich, is highlighted for its ability to block "canvas fingerprinting." This advanced tracking method uses HTML5 to identify a user's unique hardware and software configuration, making them trackable even without cookies. The browser aims to create a more private ecosystem by limiting the data sent to servers.

TSA is expanding the use of fingerprint technology in pre-check lanes at airports in Atlanta and Denver, raising concerns about the creation of a national biometric database. Additionally, the effectiveness of facial recognition technology is discussed, alongside potential health risks from increased X-ray radiation in new scanning equipment. Some critics suggest that these security measures are moving toward a mandatory "chipping" system for travelers.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest struggled to provide concrete evidence of Russian hacking during a press briefing, relying instead on the "consensus view" of 17 intelligence agencies. Earnest pointed to a Department of Homeland Security report containing technical advice for system administrators as proof of a "deep technical analysis." The hosts criticize this logic, arguing that providing basic security remediation steps does not definitively tie the activity to the Russian government.

Austin voters rejected Proposition 1, leading Uber and Lyft to suspend operations within city limits due to mandatory fingerprint background checks. The discussion posits that the conflict is actually centered on ride-sharing companies' refusal to share granular passenger data with the City of Austin. Comparisons are made to data mining practices at American Express and the high valuation of user data over transportation revenue.

Austin voters rejected Proposition 1 with a 56% to 44% margin, upholding city ordinances that require fingerprint-based background checks for ride-sharing drivers. In response to the vote, Uber and Lyft announced they would cease or pause operations in the city effective May 9, 2016. The regulations also include provisions for designated pick-up points, restrictions on surge pricing during emergencies, and a 1% gross revenue fee paid to the city.

President Obama's comparison of gun safety to seatbelts and airbags is scrutinized, specifically his push for "smart gun" technology. The discussion questions Obama's claim that a market for personalized firearms exists and was only suppressed by an NRA-led boycott of manufacturers like Colt. Technical limitations of biometric gun locks, such as fingerprint reliability, are contrasted with the president's optimistic projections.

State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau defended the visa screening process following the San Bernardino attack. Despite the failure to detect the radicalization of the female shooter, Trudeau maintained that the multi-layered security process, including fingerprints and interviews, remains robust. The hosts mock the repetitive and defensive nature of the State Department's briefings.

The FBI investigates the digital fingerprints of Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, recovering crushed cell phones from a trash can. Rita Katz of the SITE Intelligence Group reports that Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on Facebook during the attack. The hosts question the necessity of physical "digital fingerprints" when the data exists on Facebook's servers.

A traveler returning to the United States via Atlanta expresses skepticism regarding the speed and efficacy of Global Entry biometric kiosks. The system scanned four fingerprints in under one second, significantly faster than the consumer-grade Touch ID on an iPhone 6. The discussion posits that the system likely performs a simple hash match against a pre-loaded passport profile rather than a comprehensive criminal database search.

Curry describes the efficiency of the Global Entry system at JFK Airport, highlighting the use of kiosks and biometric data. He notes that the facial recognition camera only captured his chin, yet he was still approved and allowed to bypass the standard customs lines. The hosts express skepticism about the actual security effectiveness of the database checks performed at these kiosks.

A document provided by Professor Russ highlights growing scientific skepticism regarding traditional forensics like fingerprints and ballistics, labeling them "junk science." The discussion explores how these methods are often used to impress jurors rather than provide scientific certainty. The hosts also touch on the complexities of DNA evidence, including the phenomenon of chimeras where individuals possess two sets of DNA.

The hosts thank artists for submissions to the No Agenda Art Generator while lamenting that the new Apple Podcasts app fails to display episode artwork. A donor's note triggers a discussion about Colorado's "fascistic" policies, including mandatory fingerprinting for driver's license renewals. Dvorak describes the Denver International Airport as a scam due to its confusing parking tolls and remote location.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a fingerprinting system for residents of NYCHA public housing to combat crime. The proposal is criticized as an authoritarian measure targeting the poor, contrasting with the "middle class bargain" discussed by the federal administration.