Facing the rap on a night out? No smile will change the mind of the "BioBouncer" - the facial recognition device to be tested at New York clubs next month, according to NY1. If the biometrics scan determines a match with the database of "undesirables" compiled by the clubs, entry will be denied.
In the land that prides itself on not having a national identity card, mundane activities such as getting into a bar or a club ressemble more and more getting on a plane, post 9/11: ID check, no smoking, expensive drinks - and would you please kindly leave your common sense at the door. Everyone is a suspect. Technology and data collection will capture all, with predictable unreliabily.
When 51% of Americans do not think that their government is going too far by spying on them without any court authorization, this is obviously neither the most surprising, nor the most worrisome.