Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

1. 

   giafly, 25 Jan 2006 @ 9:47am

   
   

   Not everyone has clear fingerprints

   I don't think there's a privacy issue, so long as this system is optional, WalMart get fully informed consent, and all data is destroyed when customers decide to leave the scheme.
   
   But there are techical problems. Here's a recent quote about a similar technology. "People with faint fingerprints would also be unable to register on the system, as would manual labourers, particularly those who work with cement or shuffle paper regularly" - BBC

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

2. 

   Mr. Oberon, 25 Jan 2006 @ 9:48am

   
   

   I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

   I, for one, absolutely refuse to use the 'self-checkout' stands at any store because there is no tangible benefit to me; the only tangible benefit is to the store -- and a negative tangible benefit to the workers who are displaced by the company putting the labor burden on the customer.
   If I'm going to be peforming labor for the company, then I should be paid for it -- or at the very least, I should get a discount on all the products I'm purchasing.
   Whatever happened to the idea that a company should provide service to their customers? In the US, this has gradually dwindled to the point that now the customers are paying to provide service to the company.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

3. 

   Anonymous Coward, 25 Jan 2006 @ 9:55am

   
   

   Cash

   Seems to me that anyone who is really concerned with privacy is only going to make purchases with good old fashioned non-traceable cash. Any other form of payment makes you give up your identity anyway.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

4. 

   Just Me, 25 Jan 2006 @ 9:58am

   
   

   Not gonna be touching no sticky, slobbery, grossy

   Let's face it. Kids are full of germs. They touch stuff on the ground, they don't properly wash after using the facilities, and they pick at various orafices all day long. Then they touch mommy and daddy. Then they use the new finger scanner.
   
   I'll stick with my AmEx swipe card (whenever anyone starts using the readers) thank you very much.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

5. 

   Anonymous Coward, 25 Jan 2006 @ 10:12am

   
   

   Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

   I prefer them because I don't have to deal with the drooling idiots that man the registers. But, I agree with you on all other points.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

6. 

   Mikester, 25 Jan 2006 @ 10:21am

   
   

   Gov't dream

   What happens when the government subpoenas WalMart's fingerprint database because they are searching for a criminal and the fingerprint they have doesn't show up in any of their own database searches?
   Congratulations, your fingerprint is now in a government database and you better hope you don't ever leave your print any where near any future crime scene.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

7. 

   Orifice picker, 25 Jan 2006 @ 10:26am

   
   

   Re: Not gonna be touching no sticky, slobbery, gro

   So, I take it you don't use any public services? or are you one of the people that opens doors to stores with a glove or paper towel?

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

8. 

   D. Dina, 25 Jan 2006 @ 10:44am

   
   

   Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

   I use the self-checkout stands whenever I can. I think they are wonderful and I don't have to be annoyed by the cashiers who are having a bad day, ignoring the customer (me) by talking to the other workers, or who are just not people friendly!

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

9. 

   Rikko, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:03am

   
   

   Re: Not gonna be touching no sticky, slobbery, gro

   Touching a doorknob or any handhold in a public place is a guaranteed recipe for indirectly touching dozens of penises. I wrap my sleeve around my hand, thank you very much.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

10. 

    haggie, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:05am

    
    

    No Subject Given

    I've got a new group for my ever-expanding list of retail consumer idiots.
    
    a.) People that use self checkout. If I have to bust my ass, I want the savings, not the business. I choose not to shop at stores where checkers are surly or rude, so I don't have that negative experience. At Home Depot, the friendly checkers have given me so many deals and specials, I would be an idiot to self-check.
    
    b.) People that have those grocery store tags on their keychains and actually gave the grocery store their personal info.
    
    c.) People that think "mail in" rebates are actually a cost savings (but never submit the paperwork) and thereby encourage retailers/manufacturers to keep up this scam.
    
    d.) People that get voluntarily fingerprinted (for any reason), but specifically people that get fingerprinted so Wal-mart can make more money.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

11. 

    can type a little, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:06am

    
    

    Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

    I agree completely. Very well worded.
    
    I hate self checkout as well; and for the same reasons. I've heard stories about people having problems with it and having to get someone to help clear the machine and recheck the groceries. To hell with that nonsense. What a joke. I think they should pay an employee a decent wage to sell me their merchandise and bag it for me and count out my change when it's over.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

12. 

    Larry Tilley, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:18am

    
    

    Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

    I always head to the the station with a human. As I am urged to try the automation, I respond by asking if they realize that the more of the automated stations in use the less people the store will employ. It at least causes them to

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

13. 

    ex-cashier, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:21am

    
    

    Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

    Ive worked as a cashier for years and refuse to use self checkout.
    Now why would anyone want their personal bank info tied their fingerprint? What happens when someone hacks that database? Or like someone else said the government wants the records ?
    I sure dont trust Wal-mart with my fingerprint.
    

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

14. 

    Muffin, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:30am

    
    

    Re: Gov't dream

    As I'm not a criminal and see zero need to protect or sheild them, this would be an added benefit. Besides they probably would pay by cash that they lifetd from someone else.
    
    Reply to:
    What happens when the government subpoenas WalMart's fingerprint database because they are searching for a criminal and the fingerprint they have doesn't show up in any of their own database searches?
    Congratulations, your fingerprint is now in a government database and you better hope you don't ever leave your print any where near any future crime scene.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

15. 

    Anonymous Coward, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:50am

    
    

    Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

    I dont want their damn service. I prefer helping myself. I dont want people opening doors for me or bringing me refills or checking me out at the store. Why can't I do it all myself?
    
    Forget the discounts, i would gladly pay MORE for a self checkout line. Call it the pay 10% more line. I could get in and out in record time with that.
    
    

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

16. 

    itchyfish, 25 Jan 2006 @ 11:55am

    
    

    Re: Gov't dream

    Ummmm, (most likely) wrong. Biometrics systems these days don't store your actual print. Actual images aren't usually stored because of large storage requirements for images and difficulty with matching images. They take certain measurements such as distance between features such as whorls, etc. and that's what is stored. And there are a number of actual algorithms to do this. I suppose your measurements could be sucked up into the gov't database, but the actual usefulness to gov't in tracking you is small.
    
    Is it a good idea to give Wal-Mart your biometric and banking information? Probably not, but that's more about Wal-Mart's security measures than wild claims about having your fingerprint being available to the gov't.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

17. 

    Anonymous Coward, 25 Jan 2006 @ 12:25pm

    
    

    Re: Gov't dream

    the government could always run the fingerprint that they have through the biometric system to see if it matches anybody in there. who knows, since its a lifted fingerprint, it could be less reliable and you may get questioned as a possible suspect cause you have similar fingerprints.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

18. 

    Mikester, 25 Jan 2006 @ 12:40pm

    
    

    Re: Gov't dream

    Regardless of the actual method of storing your fingerprint (image, measurement, etc), does it really matter? As long as the government can use the same identification process that WalMart uses to connect a fingerprint back to you, the end result is the same.
    
    Again, I'm not concerned about being tracked, I know that already happens with every non-cash purchase. I just don't like the idea of a government having access to a database that could further their 'big brother' goals. Don't think the govenment lusts for this? Why else have they requested the search engines turn over their? Oh yeah, national security. Anything can be done in the name of security.
    
    Let me put it this way, why are we bothering with fingerprinting? Why not go straight to DNA? "That'll be 23.56 please, sir. Please spit here." Why not get WalMart customers to sign up for a DNA database - I think it would be far more reliable than fingerprint security.
    No? Why not? (rhetorical question)
    
    /Donning tin foil hat (and finger tips)
    //Off to patent DNA payment process

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

19. 

    itchyfish, 25 Jan 2006 @ 12:47pm

    
    

    Re: Gov't dream

    Yes they could, then they'd activate the RFID module they implanted into your neck at birth, call up the super-spy satellite to zoom in on your location and read the mail you currently have open in your hands.
    
    Seriously, mention "biometrics" and conspiracy theorists come crawling out of the woodwork with wild stories without knowing one thing about the actual technology. Sure, theoretically the gov't *could* apply the algorithm to a fingerprint they have and then go searching. Is it likely? Not even a little. They have more efficiant ways of catching people.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

20. 

    Cooter, 25 Jan 2006 @ 1:20pm

    
    

    fingerprints? I'm ready for RFID

    I'd love to walk into a store, with my own messenger bag, grab the latest DVDs, a frozen pizza, and a six pack of beer, and toss it in my bag. I don't stop to get checked out, or pay anyone, because I'm carrying my Wal-Mart RFID card. when I walk out, the Wal-Mart DB connects to my bank's DB, and debits my account. When I get home, I've got an email stating (depending on my prefs) what was purchased, and how much I was spent. - - Sign me up.
    - I dobut that this type of thing would lead to identity theft because of the lack of personal info, and if my bank is hacked, they are, by law required to pay me back.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

21. 

    Anonymous Coward, 25 Jan 2006 @ 2:13pm

    
    

    Re: fingerprints? I'm ready for RFID

    Sign me up too! If I cant have flying cars in my future, I at least want that!

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

22. 

    Peeve, 28 Jan 2006 @ 8:00am

    
    

    Re: Gov't dream

    I get a kick out of reading these type of posts, which are prime demonstrations of how ignorance breeds false insight...which then breeds false confidence. Then the confident ignoranus (sic) feels enlightened and posts their stupidity where all can see.
    
    Ironically "Mikester" your privacy concerns have "exposed" or ID'd yourself as one of these people who believes that his perceptions are truth. Real Eyes see Real Lies, then Realize.
    
    Avoidable? (Hint: it lies within the research capabilities of the Net)
    
    Truth is: Biometric fingerprints CANNOT be reproduced. That's why they're technically called "fingerscans" and not fingerprints (that's the media)
    
    Why? Because there are over 1000 data points that can be measured on a finger. Pay by Touch identifies (scans) around 40. So without the remaining 960 data points, it would be literally impossible to recreate a finger print. So the government can ask but won't be able to tell.
    
    Mikester...I gotta ask...can "you tell" us some more of your insights on how the world works?
    
    Tell us the one about how a blank piece of paper imprinted with your name, address, routing and bank account numbers... handed out a thousand times to strangers like a business card is safer and non-invasive. Just checking Mikey.
    
    Now, I apologize if I've come down a little hard on the Mikester, but my "perception" is that if you want respect, earn it, do a little R&D.
    
    
    
    
    

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

23. 

    rodney tilley, 30 Sep 2006 @ 7:27pm

    
    

    Re: Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

    Larry it that is you, we would love to hear from you. Your mother is still waiting.- Rodney

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

24. 

    Sameha, 20 Jan 2007 @ 9:03am

    
    

    Biometrics for payment is a great solution

    I think such concept is definitely a very positive step. Biometric devices are making transnational communication much easier, safer and more reliable. Customer service is becoming more efficient through it. Tracking clients is getting faster. For proper customer service and payment facilities one need to ensure smooth management of keeping the customer records. I am a representative of an established research based biometric firm named M2SYS Technology www.m2sys.com based in Atlanta Georgia. We have provided our fingerprint scanners to numerous POS and shopping centers starting from medium to large across various countries, who are now making a very fast and reliable customer payment and customer record service through integrating our secured fingerprint identification system in their POS software. Our’s is a patent-pending fingerprint software solution that can be instantly integrated with a host application, avoiding development burdens associated with a fingerprint SDK. We also offer several off-the-shelf fingerprints software products that are distributed to the end user market through our expanding list of channel partners. I believe to keep up with speed of service and tracking the customers as well as employees in an efficient way, finger print scanners are one of the best solutions.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

25. 

    rodney tilley, 1 Feb 2007 @ 6:45pm

    
    

    Re: Re: I'm sick of 'check out yourself' stores

    Larry if this is the Larry from Louisiana, leesville to be exact- I would love to hear from you. Your brother- rodney at 337-239-2491

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

26. 

    Criminalist, 17 May 2007 @ 10:41am

    
    

    Re: Re: Gov't dream

    "Let me put it this way, why are we bothering with fingerprinting? Why not go straight to DNA? "That'll be 23.56 please, sir. Please spit here." Why not get WalMart customers to sign up for a DNA database - I think it would be far more reliable than fingerprint security.
    No? Why not? (rhetorical question)"
    
    Well, let's see, a properly performed DNA test can run upwards of $10,000? That's probably why the big name stores aren't jumping all over themselves to let you use your DNA to buy a $3 birthday card.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]