The loss of privacy and identity

Abstract

There have been many papers and speeches over the last few years concerning the loss of privacy and the dangers of identity theft in the United States and in the world. Many blame the loss (or at least the reduction in personal privacy) on the intrusions of government under the auspices of increasing security in response to terrorism attacks. While this approach to understanding issues surrounding the loss of privacy may be appealing to the media and to some civil liberties advocates, it is far from the truth and leads to policy makers trying to solve the wrong problems. The loss of privacy in American society has been caused by major shifts in economic practices and technology, which have little, if any thing, to do with terrorism. This article examines the root causes behind the loss in privacy and the rise in identity theft, and considers how the emerging technology of biometrics can be used to ensure privacy in the 21 st century.