How would Real ID be exploited by the private sector to invade privacy?
The new identity system created by Real ID would accelerate a larger American trend toward a the construction of a public-private “Security-Industrial Complex.” Data aggregators like ChoicePoint, Acxiom, Lexis-Nexis and others make up an enormous, multi-billion-dollar industry that builds dossiers on individuals using a wide array of sources. And the government is increasingly turning to such companies for help with security functions. The FBI, for example, pays millions to ChoicePoint, and the TSA wants to use private-sector firms in performing identity checks on airline passengers. [4] The “common machine-readable technology” on Real IDs would allow for easy, computerized transfer of the data on the cards not only to the government at checkpoints like airports, but also to private parties. Already, many bars already collect all their customers’ information (including such details as height and weight) by swiping driver’s licenses handed over to prove legal drinking age. [5] That migh
