Math in the Media

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Mathematical Digest


Short Summaries of Articles about Mathematics
in the Popular Press

"Retailers test paying by fingerprint," by Lorrie Grant. USA Today, 29 July 2002.

Some stores have implemented an identification system--based on patternrecognition--in which customers volunteer to have their fingerprints scanned bya special machine that enters their unique ID into a database, which in turnlinks each person's fingerprints to his or her driver's license, store card,and credit or debit card used for purchasing merchandise. "Biometric access, asthe process is called, might have a Big Brother feeling, but it is expected tospeed customer checkout and cut identify fraud."

--- Annette Emerson