Biometric Myths

The problem with such a rapidly emerging industry is that many people are elevated to the position of "expert", almost overnight. This can be a particularly dangerous situation – especially when the expert used to be the company salesman or marketing executive.This scenario has led to some of the industry’s best technological fallacies, which can either be put down to pure ignorance, or worse, the stirring up of malicious rumors in order to gain competitive advantage.

Iris recognition devices use lasers to scan your eyes. This damaging rumor is completely without substance, although the confusion is understandable given that the first company to produce such a system called itself IrisScan (now renamed as Iridian Technologies). In fact an iris recognition camera takes a black and white picture from up to 24 inches away and uses non-invasive, near-infrared illumination (similar to a TV remote control) that is barely visible and very safe.