Disney's Finger Scan

[Uncle Remus]

So what do y'all think of this?:
http://www.local6.com/news/9774630/detail.html
http://www.thrillnetwork.com/storie...ger_scan_upgrade_raises_privacy_concerns.html

Noon 1 Sep 06~~Thought I'd add the actual article:

For years, Walt Disney World has been reading the shape of visitors' fingers on its property. Now, the upgraded controversial finger scanning machines scan fingerprint information.


"Privacy advocates worry that Disney is getting too much of your personal information and their concern is where that information goes after it is scanned," Local 6 reporter Jessica D'Onofrio said.

Disney representatives said the technology does not store the entire fingerprint image and scanned information is purged in 30 days.

"We are not collecting fingerprints," Disney representative Kim Prunty said. "We are not collecting personal information. The sole purpose is to create a numerical value that links out guest with their Magic Your Way tickets.

"They're collecting fingerprints," Central Florida ACLU President George Crossley said. "They're taking fingerprints. They can call it whatever they want. They're taking fingerprints. Everything that chips away at personal rights, anything that chips away at the right to privacy, I'll always be concerned about."

"The system takes an image, it identifies points on that image and measures the distance between those points and immediately creates a numerical value on the blink of an eye," Prunty said. "And it's the numerical value that's stored in our system and recalled when a guest reenters our turn styles using their Magic Your Way tickets."

The Central Florida ACLU said they know Disney is not doing anything illegal but said people should know what they're submitting to before they enter the park.

"If Uncle Sam decides to hit Walt Disney with a subpoena because they want those records, what is Walt Disney going to do?" Crossley said. "They're going to provide the records right?"

A Disney representative said visitors who object to the finger scanners can use a photo ID instead. However, that option is not advertised at the theme parks.

The machine upgrades should be completed by the end of September, the report said.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

we came back from WDW last week and all the turnstiles had the finger scans.

 

[cardaway]

My shock is limited to Disney feeling this is enough of a problem to justify spending that money on the equipment and support.

My personal feelings about it will be all about how much time this adds to just getting through the gates. It was bad enough with the previous finger technology. So much so that we would get in different lines until we could find out which one wouldn't have the 5 minute long finger scan issue.

 

[Chuck S]

It doesn't bother me. I hope itis faster than the old system. My local video store also uses this type of technology, you'd be suprised at the number of people that drive around without their drivers license or other photo ID.

 

[emmabelle]

We just got back on 8/29 and had so many problems with the finger scans, I wish they would get rid of them.

 

[Bob Slydell]

My personal feelings about it will be all about how much time this adds to just getting through the gates. It was bad enough with the previous finger technology. So much so that we would get in different lines until we could find out which one wouldn't have the 5 minute long finger scan issue.

I agree. I can't imagine this would do anything but slow down an already slow process.

 

[CathrynRose]

You dont have to put your finger on it. My paranoid fiance never used the finger scan when we lived there - he always showed his DL.

 

[charlie,nj]

We just got back on 8/29 and had so many problems with the finger scans, I wish they would get rid of them.

You are talking about the finger size scan right?

We just got back from WDW.. the finger print scan is great!. Some of the parks had it. Didn’t see/have any problems with the new system. The old finger size scan is as you know a whole different story. My wife stopped the line every time. (as did most other people) Glad to see it go!

.

 

[agnes!]

Sometimes I wish that WDW had a separate turnstile/s for AP-holders or maybe "experienced turnstile guests". It's frustrating getting stuck in line behind people who can't figure out how to access the system, be it the biometrics or the newer fingerscan. (Yeah, I *know* this isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but...when you're all ready to get in to a park...and you get stuck *waiting* behind a group who is having difficulties...it's frustrating, that's all.)
Something else that was frustrating was how on our last trip, we experienced s-l-o-w lines getting in to MK in the evenings. There were only two turnstiles open to enter the park, you'd think WDW would want to make it eaaasy to get in so you could start spending your money .

Back to your regularly-scheduled topic ,
agnes!

 

[disneydude91]

Honestly, I don't really care about the stupid finger scan machines because I only have to use them once a day. It's not like you are continuosly be scanned to go on attractions.

I think Disney doesn't have enough security to be honest. Most theme parks have metal detectors. A smart person is not going to sneak weapons in there purse and/or bag. I think Disney is finally moving somewhat in the right direction. And all you whiners out there, would you rather get in the park in two seconds, or be safe? I know this doesn's necessarily affect safety but it does cut down on fraud.

 

[ducklite]

I do not like that a private company is taking a scan of my finger print without telling me that this is what they are doing. I don't care if they are keeping it ten seconds or ten years, it's a violation of privacy. The bone scan wasn't as identifiable. I have a real issue with this, mostly because they are not notifying guests in advance of what their equiment does.

I have voluntarily given my fingerprints to a company for the purpose of a background check--and I ahd to sign a lot of disclosures before they could do so. I don't like that Disney is taking my finger print without disclosure.

And I'm not buying that they are only kept on file for 30 days--what about AP holders?

Anne

 

[CathrynRose]

I do not like that a private company is taking a scan of my finger print without telling me that this is what they are doing.

Then dont do it.

As I previously mentioned - and after watching the newsclip - you can show a picture ID.

 

[Aidensmom]

For people wondering about the speed, the new ones are much faster.

I really am not paranoid about my fingerprint being taken. It's much more likely that someone is going to do something unsavory with your personal information whenever you use your credit card.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I agree. I can't imagine this would do anything but slow down an already slow process.

It actually worked a lot faster than the others when we were entering the MK.

Everyone complained about people not knowing how to use the old machines, but I don't think that was the big problem. They didn't flipping work! These do.

I don't like having any of these machines at the entrance and wish very, VERY much that they'd go away.

But as for speed, they are an improvement. Still slower than just a ticket, though.

 

[Bob Slydell]

It actually worked a lot faster than the others when we were entering the MK.

Everyone complained about people not knowing how to use the old machines, but I don't think that was the big problem. They didn't flipping work! These do.

Thanks That's good to hear.

 

[Maleficent13]

And I'm not buying that they are only kept on file for 30 days--what about AP holders?

Or those who chose the non-expiring option and come back in 6 months?

So basically what I'm reading is, if you leave with days left on your ticket and don't come back for more than 30 days, pretty much anyone can use that ticket because the original ticket holder's scan will have been purged.

So what purpose does it serve?

 

[Uncle Remus]

Maybe coz it's Friday

 

[ead79]

I'm not really bothered by them taking fingerprints at all. If it speeds up the line to get in (which I've heard it does vs. the old biometric scanners), then I'm all for it. I wish that ticket fraud wasn't so much of a problem, then Disney wouldn't have to do this.

 

[eclectics]

I actually like the fingerprint technology. I think it would be a big boost in preventing identity theft if it's used at ATM's and at retail venues. Instead of PIN numbers, just scan the fingerprint. At the checkout, swipe your credit card and your fingerprint. No one except you could use your debit or credit cards. Well, it sounds good anyway! I see it as an identity thing, not a chipping away of our civil liberties thing.

 

[cardaway]

I actually like the fingerprint technology. I think it would be a big boost in preventing identity theft if it's used at ATM's and at retail venues. Instead of PIN numbers, just scan the fingerprint. At the checkout, swipe your credit card and your fingerprint. No one except you could use your debit or credit cards. Well, it sounds good anyway! I see it as an identity thing, not a chipping away of our civil liberties thing.

I feel the same way... if the technology works and doesn't cause more problems than it solves.