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Photos: Security, up close and personal

The latest advancements in consumer-oriented security at this week's CardTechSecurTech Conference makes it feel like Big Brother is breathing down my neck.

Natalie Weinstein Former Senior Editor / News
I spent a decade as a reporter and editor before joining the CNET News staff as a copy editor in 2000, right before the dot-com bust.
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  • I've been a journalist for more than three decades. I was a finalist in the 2021 Digiday Media Award for Best Newsletter.
Natalie Weinstein

Advancements in security are somehow giving me the creeps lately. I know I'm not supposed to feel that way. As a consumer, I'm supposed to feel safer, more secure, protected. I certainly don't want anyone stealing my credit card data or my identity.

Security at your fingertips

But after looking over some of the latest advancements at the CardTechSecurTech Conference that took place in San Francisco this week, all I can think about is Big Brother. Fingerprint readers, facial recognition software and biometric passports make me want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.

Maybe I've just gotten too paranoid. But on my first-ever trip to SeaWorld last month, I was required to offer a fingerprint to a biometric reader at the entrance. That was a first. I readily complied just to get my kiddos through the gate, but the more I think about it, the less I like it.

So I guess I'm craving security, but not too much security. You can check out the products of the not-too-distant future and decide for yourself.