Alberta’s privacy commissioner will rule in February whether bars in the province can continue to scan ID cards and compile personal information from customers as part of their efforts to keep out troublemakers.

Alberta privacy commission to rule on bar scans

This should be a complete no brainer.  Do we really need the privacy commissioner to rule on whether or not bars get to have access to my private information?  I think not.

In Alberta any person over the age of 14 is able to obtain photo identification from any registry office.  The law requires, or permits store selling tobacco, pornographic materials and alcohol to request photo ID. from anyone attempting to purchase these controlled items.  Bars, likewise are permitted to check photo ID. before allowing a person admission to their establishment.

There is a group of people who are adamantly against bars being permitted to swipe their ID’s in order to gain admittance to the venue.  I am among that group.  It is getting absolutely ridiculous the amount of information we have kicking around out there.  It is enough that I have a photo on my driver’s license, and can provide said photo when requested.  My photo looks like me.  My age is on the document.  In order to satisfy the age requirements placed on them by the AGLC, this is all bars require to allow me in.

"I became alarmed," Engfield told CBC News. "There is a lot of sensitive information on your driver’s licence that you don’t want people to know, especially businesses.

Asking for more is definitely unconstitutional.  These machines are able to store information gleaned from scanning a person’s ID.  Just like debit machines can be set up to steal information, so can these, or any other scanning devices.

One of the bars I go to does scan ID’s.  I am always there directly after work for a cold with colleagues.  We are never scanned as they don’t scan before 9 p.m.  We have, however, sat in the bar and watched as people’s ID’s are scanned.  This bar even goes so far as to broadcast the information on a big-screen should a patron have a "RAP" sheet for causing problems in other bars.  The one or two police officers who are on scene also take notes when someone’s card swipe shows them to have been in trouble at another bar.  Then it really gets interesting.  Entrapment is one word that comes to mind.

Personally, I will turn and leave any bar that tries to swipe my ID.  Why? Simply, I don’t need to prove anything beyond my age (which is so obviously over 18) in order to purchase, order or drink alcohol in a licensed establishment.

Between points cards for purchases, cookies on the computer, and now ID scanning in bars, it is quite obvious that SEVERAL BIG BROTHERS are watching us.

We must implore the Privacy Commissioner to do his job and protect our privacy!

Messages of support against this practice can be sent Office of the Privacy and Information Commissioner for Alberta