Montreal apartment building installs biometric security
15 June, 2010
category: Biometrics
An apartment building in downtown Montreal, Quebec has had a new security system installed that utilizes the tenants’ fingerprints to unlock the main doors, according to a CBC News article.
Some of the residents, however, are fighting the new security system claiming they will not use it citing feelings of discomfort with having their fingerprint scanned so often for a regular need and fears of personal data leaks.
Officials from Quebec’s access to information commission have also sent warnings to the landlord stating that tenants must be allowed the right to refuse to use the system and provided alternative means of entering the building should they decide against the biometric option.
Francois Majewski, one of the buildings landlords, has acknowledged that although there is a sign in the building alerting tenants that they may use a swipe card in lieu of the biometric. Additionally, Majewski wanted to point out to tenants that, unlike police fingerprints, the machine does not collect fingerprint images, but specific points on the fingerprint that are converted into a digital code.
Read the full story here.