The Costco Connection - December 2016

READER COMMENTS

facebook.com/Costco

INFORMEDDEBATE

Facial recognition isn’t that reliable yet, which would just cause more problems for consumers [who] already struggle with technology.

—Amanda Fee

As long as there is no way a hacker could intercept your print pic and utilize it to buy stuff with your account, I’m all for biometrics or anything to stop or at least keep credit fraud to a minimum.

—Bill Armstrong

Not a good idea at all. Over time facial characteristics change ... noses and ears change; weight loss or gain change your appearance. You may sustain an injury to your face or fingers that changes those.

—Helena Michener

I would like that, as I’m having problems with my bank account getting logged in; how easy just to use my fingerprint or eye.

—Diane Bredewater

My gym uses fingerprint ID. I scan before working out. I don’t mind that context for fingerprint use, but not for banking. The risks are too high when it comes to fraud.

—AnaMaria Kilpatrick

You can change a password when it’s stolen. How are you going to change biometric data?

—Matthew Blackthorne

I see this eventually settling on something like a thumbprint plus a personal identification number (PIN).

—Joshua John

I have had various surgeries on my fingers and would find it difficult to use my bank.

—Gabriele Alexander

That’s a good idea because there are bad people who like to sneak and look over your shoulder and watch to see what [your] password is.

—Fernande Quesnel

When I was in high school I had a finger injury, which rendered my finger printless. If I were to need a fingerprint to access banking I would have trouble. I wouldn’t bank at an establishment that used fingerprinting or facial recognition instead of conventional methods.

—Briannan Sandau-Aboutaleb

C ARL O S AM A RILLO / S H U T T ER ST OC K

Should financial institutions use biometrics to safeguard accounts?

SOME BANKS and other institutions have started using biometric scans of fingerprints and other physical characteristics, such as facial contours, for safeguarding accounts. Supporters say this will increase convenience and security, since passwords are easily hacked. Critics argue that the technology is imperfect and that it also raises privacy concerns.