Have you or a loved one ever lost an hour at a TSA checkpoint or hours attempting to return to the country? Of course you have. You’re an American living in a post 9/11 world. Fortunately security just became a lot less painful and a lot more efficient today thanks to the creation of the Aoptix mobile bioscanner.
The scanner is not the first of its kind. Mobile stations that can identify you by your fingerpint, retina scan and voice identification are nothing new. But this device will revolutionize security for two key reasons.
- It can scan at a distance. No need to hold your eye a centimeter away from the device.
- It's an iPhone. An iPhone with a special case and scanner, like the kind used by Apple Stores. It transfers all of its data via 4g or wireless broadband connection and fits in the palm of your hand. This latest, quintessential security measure is about as difficult to use as Temple Run.
We’re sure you have just as many questions about this device as we did. For instance:
- Can I buy one? Yes and no. The app itself costs $199 but requires a special app plugin, which is sold in a package of 4 or more. So unless you need to outfit a whole security team, you are out of luck. At least, for the time being.
- How does this technology connect to social media? As the device becomes easier to use and more mainstream, it is possible we will see a “login through bioscan” lock on your social media pages. Passwords can be cracked. Not retinas.
- Is this a sign that we are living in the New World Order? Legally, only border control agents, immigration agents, and other federal officers who need a way to pull your identification documents quickly with guaranteed accuracy can use this scanner as a required identity check. In practice, you are unlikely to see your local police force with one of these scanners because requiring citizens to submit to bioscans on demand would be highly illegal. (American citizens do not need to provide identification unless they are either exercising their privilege of driving a car or entering a secured area such as a border checkpoint or Area 51).
- What if the iPhone is hacked? The phone can only be hacked if a hacker has access to its information through a malicious device or link. Since the current Aoptix line will be used by professionals, most likely using company phones to do their work, it is unlikely that a hacker would be able to find enough data on the app to compromise it. However, as the app becomes more commonplace, it may be that a disgruntled security professional finds a way to allow any user to bypass the bioscan. We’ll keep you posted.
Does your company need one of these tools? Why or why not?