ID Scanners

[Positive Control]

In Utah when you buy anything or go anywhere that requires an ID, establishments will scan your ID's barcode. I hate it. Just look at my age, I don't need all of these people making profiles of me. Do other states do this? I know Utah is ultra-conservative and quite socialist when it comes to adult beverages/entertainment. Or am I just being a baby about the whole thing?

[FletchLives]

Some people scan, some people don't. I know in Texas it is legal to not scan an ID. 7-11 doesn't care about your beer history, they scan the ID because cheap fakes will not scan. Or they scan because they use a sytem that requires either a birthdate entered, or a scanned ID. Swiping a card is easier than typing a birthdate.

[fluxquanta]

I don't think they're profiling you. In New York I know many places that sell alcohol/tobacco are required to have one of those scanners, but I hardly ever see it used (granted, I'm hardly ever carded, but still). The devices themselves that I've seen aren't even attached to the register, and they provide an instant result, which makes me think that they're reading the embedded birth date in the barcode, and not much else. I'm basing this assumption on how when I get my car inspected, where they have a computer which has to communicate with the DMV database, and the damn thing takes forever.

[benjita]

Scanning your ID is pretty standard. Plus it's easier for the cashier. As you hand it to them, they can usually verify the picture. Then, without reading or typing, they have your birthdate. Don't know why you'd mind, they've been doing it in Michigan for over 10 years.

[Paraquat]

They do it at some bars here but the latest buzz was that the police were going to have access to your whole background record just by swiping the card.
I gouged my barcode off with my knife and then covered it with a Dicks Sporting Goods sticker.

[fluxquanta]

Originally Posted by Paraquat

the latest buzz was that the police were going to have access to your whole background record just by swiping the card.
I gouged my barcode off with my knife and then covered it with a Dicks Sporting Goods sticker.

Because they can't just radio in (or type into their laptops, if you're in fancytown) your client ID and get your full history regardless, right?

[Paraquat]

Would you rather do something or do nothing?

In my experience the police would rather do as a little as possible. Having to radio back to HQ now bothers two people instead of one.

[FletchLives]

I would rather not make the police office unhappy

[fluxquanta]

Originally Posted by Paraquat

Would you rather do something or do nothing?

Nothing. Glad we do have people like you who will fight for this important cause, though.

"This guy may have a warrant out for his arrest...but there's a sticker on his license. Guess we'll never know. It's your lucky day, Dick."