Nightclub Workers in China to be DNA Tested

In a strange move nightclub workers are now subject to DNA testing in China. The Chinese government claims the DNA will help recover, identify, and trace victims of crime and kidnapping.

In addition to DNA testing, employees are required to provide fingerprints, photographs and writing samples to ensure employees don't have a criminal background.

"After the DNA collections, those without criminal records will be issued certificates for working in such venues," Long Shijun, deputy director of the local police station said justifying the move. The purpose is to improve surveillance of entertainment venues long considered a hotbed of crimes, he said.

"The records, which greatly help police identify suspects, will be sent directly to the city's comprehensive DNA database, to ensure the records will not be leaked," Long said.

Rightfully so, many are upset by the blatant disregard for privacy rights and the targeting of a specific sector of the population to anticipate crimes they might commit.

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Bank of America & Fingerprinting

Last week, the Bank of America publicly admitted to harboring thousands of fingerprints they collect from their customers in a database. They wouldn't reveal the location of the database, or other information about the fingerprints, such as how long they are stored and who has access to them.

Regardless of those details, the idea that any entity has a database filled with fingerprints for an indeterminate amount of time makes privacy advocates and some lawmakers worried.

"The practice goes too far," said state Rep. Neal Kurk, of Weare, cosponsor of a bill to outlaw the practice in New Hampshire. "Even if the FBI is not involved . . . the government could get that information. Not to mention, anyone could hack into that system and access that information."

The "Thumbprint Signature Program" has been in use by Bank of America and several other banks around the country for over 10 years now. It was originally developed to fight check fraud.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts said, "While Bank of America says this measure is an effort to reduce and discourage check fraud, we believe the bank has taken a step that could endanger individual liberties," the statement reads."Fingerprinting of customers is part of a recent trend in the taking and storing of biometric information. While technology is evolving at the speed of light, privacy laws that protect us from abuse have not kept up."

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Mortgage Loan Officers Face Stringent Background Checks

Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions began a new online program that allows mortgage companies and loan originators to apply for and manage their licenses electronically. Under the Secure and Fair Enforcement Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, every state will have to participate in the program.

The program seems to make it easier to obtain and maintain a mortgage license, but starting January 1, 2009 fingerprint-based background checks also became a requirement for all new mortgage loan officer applicants. The managing principals for the companies in which the applicants work are also affected.

With so many fingers pointing at the mortgage lenders as the catalyst for the economic crisis we are facing, ensuring that they are the right person for the job.

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