Technology

Brazil Wants to Collect Biometric Data on All Its Citizens to Prevent Fraud

Brazil to Collect Biometric Data on Citizens and Issue Smart ID Cards to Prevent Fraud

Voting using a biometric indicator, such as a thumbprint, could help prevent identity fraud in elections. (Photo via Txchnologist)

The Brazilian government hopes to collect about 1.9 billion digital finger prints of its citizens that will be used on biometric identity cards to help cut down on fraud, according to Dom Phillips writing for the Txchnologist.

By 2018, Phillips writes, the 132 million voting the country could be verifying their identity using their thumb. Since 2001, Brazil’s voting system has been 100 percent digital and fully automated but officials seem to hope this will secure elections even further.

Phillips notes that from 1964 to 1985, Brazil was run under a military dictatorship, and that when free elections were conducted again, fraud was prevalent:

“There was a lot of fraud from paper ballots,” says David Fleischer, Professor of Political Science at Brasília University. “They would pay people to go at night and fill in the blank ballots. And there was a lot of manipulation by paying for voting – if you went the right way you got compensation.”

Since fully automating the system, Giuseppe Dutra Janino, Secretary of Information Technology at the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, said there has been no fraud and Flesicher said fears of hackers are unfounded. Still, the government plans to move forward with securing the system even more.

It is not without its critics though. Phillips writes:

Its main objection, says committee member Amilcar Filho, is that there is no way of verifying the vote once it has been cast.

“The Brazilian machines register the vote directly but don’t permit the voter to know what they have voted (after the fact),” says Filho. There is no paper backup of the vote. Argentina experimented with the Brazilian system and decided against it, Filho says. But Guiseppe Janino argues that the inbuilt anonymity of the Brazilian system protects voter confidentiality. “Only the elector knows who he voted for.”

There is a certain amount of transparency: a very small percentage of voting is filmed, and the process made available. Parties can also access a digital register of votes cast, though these are not linked to the voter. “We cannot know this information,” says Janino.

According to the security firm Gemalto, Brazil still has a big problem with identity fraud in other areas, which costs government billions of dollars a year. With its plan to collect biometric data and issue smart ID cards with this info, officials hope to also cut back on paperwork saving time and money. Here’s an example of how they plan to save with the smart ID cards:

Eliminating things like false driver’s licenses would also have a financial trickledown effect. The switch to eDriver licenses in a number of states in Mexico, for example, has reduced traffic accidents by 40 percent. When you consider that road accidents have cost Brazil 28 billion reais (US$16 billion) in 2009, a 40 percent reduction would mean that more than 10 billion reais (US$5.7 billion) could be used for something more productive.

While some have high hopes for the new system, biometric collection has caused a stir in other countries due to the potential for pervasive tracking. What do you think? Is a biometric ID card going too far?

Comments (33)

  • dutchy
    Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:58am

    Why don’t we just present our legal photo id with a ballot request to vote to the voting booth people and vote as they cross us off a list? No need for finger prints, and no more voting fraud, problem solved! http://www.tellthetruth.org

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:40pm

    not surprised that new world order is right around the bend

    Report Post »  
    • closetotheedge
      Posted on April 18, 2012 at 9:02am

      Another step to control all of us.MX has been bio-cards to kids of just born to 18.Now they are doing the 19-on so all can be tracked.We here in the USA have slowly been indoctrinated with cards,credit yrs’ ago onto the Credit-Debit/bank card. And in secure areas,the Iris,facial reoignation,palm and thumbprints etc The ‘Chip’ in animals,those in Nursing Homes(for the safety) and our children.It’s all so we can track them.The i-phone can turn on lights while you’re 100s of miles away.to control every device in our homes and cars.The tatoo that has our info,health,banking,etc.How close are we to being ‘chipped’? The NDAA takes the Bill of Rights out and leaves us at the manical leaders,to be arrested for no charge and detained as long as needed with no legal rep’ and no need for a judges warrent,just a ‘TIP’from someone/nieghbor,a no-knock invasion by authorities,local or federal,assumed guilty till proven innocent by any trumped-up crime.If this was’nt done in stages we would revolt. With our new North American Union,our 3rd partner MX has for 10yrs chipped the people and Canada to move cashless,we will follow suit.Or are ther enough US citizens that will fight again’st this? We’ve been spoon-fed and the speed it’s moving faster,all the Oba n Co’ and the World Powers behind the scenes by many names demand total chipping by 2018 that puts them in control of all who take the mark,and in the mesn time weeding out or locking-up.Traitors alighned with NWO will kill u

      Report Post »  
  • Maidoff101
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:43am

    In todays technoliogal atmosphere this can work in this Country, as long as there were a Constitutional Protection, where it can only be used to Identify for Protection, and never for Govt retaliation,or prosecution, unless a serious Felony involved, including Fraud and ID Theft. It can Stop the bleeding of illegal immrgration, and entitlement abuse.

    Report Post »  
  • wntsmallgov
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 4:33am

    New World Order

    Report Post » wntsmallgov  
  • Max jones
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:43am

    I looked for samjin’s photo but all could find were videos of some idiot flying model airplanes…i think I need one of those things.

    Report Post » Max jones  
  • crabbyoldman
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:42am

    It will work if we can trust Big Brothere.

    Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:31am

      The brazilian govt. is finding too much competition when it comes to fleecing the people. this is funny, south american governments are the biggest oppressors in this hemisphere..Next to this current american administration.

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • flyere45
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:42am

    Just send Jimmy Carter down there, problem solved!

    Report Post »  
  • Maxim Crux
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 11:40pm

    It is only for your protection

    Report Post »  
  • lildeb56
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 11:39pm

    The chip is coming…..

    Report Post » lildeb56  
  • Onowicit
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 11:22pm

    @soybomb315
    OK that is the funniest comment tonight. I quit hahhhahhahahehe or just plane ole LOL!

    Report Post » Onowicit  
  • OperationNorthwoods
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:29pm

    A human number?

    Report Post » OperationNorthwoods  
  • valleyfever
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:10pm

    We don’t need biometeric data but a picture ID would sure help…or maybe just a finger dipped in purple ink liek they did in Iraq.

    Report Post »  
  • Pro-Palin
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:04pm

    “Nudge”

    Report Post » Pro-Palin  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:52pm

    is this the new gingrich strategy for raising money?

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:59pm

    Just a thought.

    The current Brazilian President is considered a leftist. She is on board with voter ID.
    The liberal Democrats are part of the left & yet they are not okay with voter ID.

    Why not?

    Because they want to steal election through VOTER FRAUD

    Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:38am

      Voter fraud or civil insanity or murder, or terrorist attack or pandemic or any supernaturally demonic catastrophe.

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • EndTheFedNOW
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:57pm

    The NWO keeping us safe since 1913. Dont believee the hype people, the economy is going to crash. From what I heard it will be fine for the next three months. After that, its going down. Sooner rather than later. And Biometrics are in our future without a doubt. Wake up.

    Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:47pm

    While some in that government are passing this to control people – others are voting for it to pocket money from the technology manufacturers. Politicians never benefit from freedom – which is why jefferson recommended revolutions on a regular basis.

    When i thought about joining the miliary, the govt got all my fingerprints – i am screwed

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • sw12
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:42pm

    Laus Deo .. that’s why the mark of the beast will be on your right hand or forehead. Someone would put it on their butt. To stop that you will be told place it on your right hand or your forehead.

    Report Post »  
  • Onowicit
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:37pm

    OK, Biometric Data stops dictators and voter fraud……funny

    Anyone that says “ I want your Biometric data”, Run from them! I have seen the movie…not good.

    Hey! is that your Biometric data machine, or are you just glad to see me?

    Report Post » Onowicit  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:04pm

      Maybe that is what Aliens are doing to all those rednecks they abduct, it isn’t really just anal probing, its biometric data gathering.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Onowicit
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:12pm

      @Darmok
      So funny! I just spit Biometric juice all over my pc.

      Report Post » Onowicit  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:12am

      I recently had to have one of my kids in the ER to check out a football injury and the hospital wanted to scan his hand/palm for their database. I said no way…not going to happen!

      My refusal to decline the process for my sons ID, had no ill effect on the quality of care we received or the time waiting to be seen.I did notice however, the sheep & their sick lambs were just allowing them to scan away @ will.

      Report Post » mercenary4freedom  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:36pm

    six, six, six.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:34pm

    Life imitates Art: “Brazil” the SF Movie!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Laus Deo
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:31pm

    I’d say collect an image of my azz. There will be a showdown between us and them. God forgive us all.

    Report Post » Laus Deo  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:14pm

    When hell freezes over. Or, as my husband is fond of saying, “Want in one hand and spit in the other…”

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:10pm

    This is weird, they only want to collect Bra sizes for the women, and they only want the the credit card numbers of the men. But hey, it’s for the greater good, and to prevent fraud.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  

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