Reading the other thread reminded me of something from the other weekend.

I was going to a local pub with a few mates for some drinks, and the bouncer informed us that he needed to "scan" our IDs. He pointed to the terms of entry sign, which on top of the regular dress code stuff now said something about having to have your identification scanned for entry. He put the cards into some sort of metal box, then gave them back to us.

I was mindful of the privacy issues, but still handed my card over. A mate said that another pub he went to a few weeks ago scans IDs as well. Presumably these measures are in place to help catch people involved in violence etc.

I'm all for initiatives to stop violence at bars/pubs/clubs and nab the offenders, but to me, this is a huge privacy issue. Applications for a lot of things require Name, Address, a few others things, and a scan of your passport/driver's license.

It is a bit worrying to think that individual bars/clubs/pubs may have a database of all this stuff, especially when we don't even know what the process/technology involved with the scanning is.

So has anyone else seen this new age ID scanning process? Thoughts?

UV light, checking the crown overlay?

My thoughts? If you don't like it, don't go to that specific bar/club. What is the worst thing they can do with the scanned card... send you junk mail?

UV light, checking the crown overlay?

Nah, it wasn't UV.

What is the worst thing they can do with the scanned card... send you junk mail?

The concern is about someone getting hold of the scanned card (pub employee / someone unauthorised). People have signed up for credit cards and things in other people's names with a lot less than a scanned drivers license. They have all the info they could possibly need, INCLUDING a scan of your drivers license which a lot of processes now ask for.

And of course you can not go there, but it seems a few places are now adopting this initiative, so it's worth having a discussion IMO.

Some places take a picture of everyone that enters the premises on the night.

If there's a fight or any other type of crime, it's as simple as identifying the person on the video and matching him up with his scanned license.

Pretty solid system.

Yeah I don't like it, a lot of pubs and clubs are run by dodgy characters that would get into something like identity fraud if there was an opportunity for it.

There's an easy way to fix this.

Stop being goddamn violent nubs when you're full of alcohol.

CHUB, i agree with you that it's a good way of catching people in the wrong.

My concern is what happens if someone working for the place steals the info, or if the computer the info is saved on gets stolen, etc.

the vic has it. i just take my passport instead. they dont scan that. the uk where introducing a volentary finger print system. i thought it was a good idea, no need to check id (not that they ever do in london).

if some mofo gets band, he gets band from everywhere.

My concern is what happens if someone working for the place steals the info, or if the computer the info is saved on gets stolen, etc

But the same goes for Banks, Credit Unions, and even your own place of employment. They all have access to your details and they all could have dodgy people working for them.

Caesars Nightclub (lol I know) has a camera pointed to a desk where they place ID cards before entry, didn't bother me at all to be honest.

Get a card that only has your name and Photo on it.

Or just use a fake ID.

There is no way I'd go to a place that required me to scan my ID on entry

Can't remember where I had this done. I was completely blind by the time I got there I'm guessing, but I do remember the card scanning.

They had those at "the Calamvale" like 6+ years ago which was the first I was aware of it.

There is no way I'd go to a place that required me to scan my ID on entry

yes, it would make it much harder to stab someone inside and get away with it

the last time i went to the alex there was an id scanner - that didn't stop that dude dieing.

didnt help find the killer either - didn't he volunteer himself to police?

edit: also didn't read the post above.. :(

Alt_F4 - did they mention anywhere that it was actually to help reduce violence, or catch people involve or whatever? I guess I'm not overly privacy-conscious, so I wouldn't mind handing out my ID to be scanned, but I can see how it could be used badly.

There is no way I'd go to a place that required me to scan my ID on entry

Isn't this because you'd never venture beyond the RE anyway?

Get a card that only has your name and Photo on it.

Like what?

Like a new QLD license, no address printed on the card.

I got new qld licence about a month ago, still has address on it..don't know what you're talking about there..

yeah i got mine done last monday, still looks exactly like the old laminated bit of cardboard

I heard a long time ago, talk about implementing this to clubs but there were complaints about privacy.

Didn't realize it's already being used.

I'm not a fan.

But the same goes for Banks, Credit Unions, and even your own place of employment. They all have access to your details and they all could have dodgy people working for them.

I don't know if you know anything about professional institutions, but banks have very strict rules and regulations with this stuff. I'm not saying that you couldn't ever be screwed over by a bank in this way... I just trust a bank or my employer a lot more than I trust pub/bar owners who have set this thing up because they felt like it.

So has anyone else seen this new age ID scanning process? Thoughts?

a mate of mine wrote the system. Well, he worked for the small company in sydney that developed it or a very similar one, and he supported it for a while.

They don't get your signature, i think, it prints your signature out on your receipt, but keeps your name and address and licence details along with your photo.

All the data is sent to the firm that wrote it. So they've got a database with everyone in it that's ever been to any club in Australia that uses that ID system.

All the data is sent to the firm that wrote it. So they've got a database with everyone in it that's ever been to any club in Australia that uses that ID system.

There you go. All fears should now be extinguished with this bit of info.

its like the gun debate.. all the good people can hand in all the guns they like.. crims will still have guns...

you can scan all the id's you like.. crimes will use fake ID's

i dont get it

fake ids are easy to spot

fake ids are easy to spot

Not when they are real fakes printed by QLD transport

I would not go to a pub that spends its security budget on technology that might at best help to find the idiots who physically assault others.

billy got it.

Alt_F4 - did they mention anywhere that it was actually to help reduce violence, or catch people involve or whatever?

Who gives a f***?

I guess I'm not overly privacy-conscious, so I wouldn't mind handing out my ID to be scanned, but I can see how it could be used badly.

Then you're a f***ing idiot.

you can scan all the id's you like.. crimes will use fake ID's

I would not go to a pub that spends its security budget on technology that might at best help to find the idiots who physically assault others.

I don't think it is designed to stop professional hitmen from killing people in pubs...it is designed as a deterrent...people are less likely to randomly assault people for their own pleasure if they know there is a good chance they'll go to jail for it.

It's obviously not a foolproof 100% perfect system but I'm guessing it would have a significant impact on the amount of violence in those pubs - remember pubs are businesses and this technology would cost a lot of money....I don't think they would all be installing this technology to profit off identity fraud...they must think it is going to reduce violence.

I'm all for scanning ID's if it means I get to drink out of glasses.

It really is pathetic that we need to even consider this technology or banning glasses in pubs.

Nothing pathetic about banning glasses in pub/clubs..

One less weapon that someone has to use against you.

I don't think it is designed to stop professional hitmen from killing people in pubs...it is designed as a deterrent...people are less likely to randomly assault people for their own pleasure if they know there is a good chance they'll go to jail for it.

It's obviously not a foolproof 100% perfect system but I'm guessing it would have a significant impact on the amount of violence in those pubs - remember pubs are businesses and this technology would cost a lot of money....I don't think they would all be installing this technology to profit off identity fraud...they must think it is going to reduce violence.

The only part I agree with is your last sentence here. Pubs may THINK it is going to reduce violence, but I refuse to believe it until I see proof. When guys get agro after 5 hours of drinking, I don't think they will stop and think "oh I had my ID scanned before I better not fight". I'm happy to be proven wrong and I'd welcome the scanners if they did PREVENT crime, but I am highly skeptical without evidence. It's simply more "security theatre".

I guess I'm not overly privacy-conscious, so I wouldn't mind handing out my ID to be scanned, but I can see how it could be used badly.

Then you're a f***ing idiot.

So I've been told.

They've been using those scanners for a few years at least at Gilhooleys Chermside. Can't say whether I think they've worked or not.

I agree Billy - I don't get agro and I'm not a violent person so I don't have any insight into the minds of the people who instigate this kind of activity, but I know if I was thinking of doing something malicious, the fact that my ID was scanned wouldn't play into it at all.

They don't get your signature, i think, it prints your signature out on your receipt, but keeps your name and address and licence details along with your photo.

That's what this one specific company says. Who knows what providers/methods different clubs are using.

When guys get agro after 5 hours of drinking, I don't think they will stop and think "oh I had my ID scanned before I better not fight

I definitely agree it won't end all violence but some people go out with the intention of getting into fights...it's just a regular part of their night. I think these people are less likely to do this in a place that has scanned their ID. But yeah I see your point about the heat of the moment raging guy not stopping because his ID was scanned.

But yeah I agree some evidence that it works is needed as a lot of people obviously see this as an invasion of their privacy. I personally couldn't give a s***. The slight risk of someone stealing my identity doesn't concern me when you compare it to the risk I take going out getting s***faced in the Valley.

Nothing pathetic about banning glasses in pub/clubs..

One less weapon that someone has to use against you.

I think you missed my point...I think it's disgraceful that we have to worry about what innocent items people are going to use as weapons against each other. I think it's pathetic and disgraceful that people glassing each other is a problem....surely we should have enough respect for fellow humans to not go indiscriminately stabbing each other with broken glasses.

But I also think it's a bulls*** measure to address the problem..as someone else pointed out...where do we stop...bolting down bar stools...plastic cutlery in all restaurants....maybe ban cars because they can definitely be used as a weapon against others? I can't stand drinking out of plastic cups.

The slight risk of someone stealing my identity doesn't concern me when you compare it to the risk I take going out getting s***faced in the Valley.

Heh, given the recent thread about ATM scams in the CBD, you're probably more likely to have identity theft happen to you than be glassed in your face :) That's assuming the ATM scams count as identity theft?

So has anyone else seen this new age ID scanning process? Thoughts?

This has been legal and around for almost 2 years. The photo is only kept for 24 hours and then purged. The system is monitored by a third party organization. There is a risk involved but that is a condition of entry. The photos are used to identify people who start fights etc on camera.

There is still some risk involved. If you don't like it. Don't go in the pub. Plenty of places don't scan ID's. Although they can if they want too.