The Center Square by TJ Martinell
Washington State legislators may look at legislation that gives the State Liquor and Cannabis Board more rulemaking power regarding the use biometric age verification for private entities selling alcohol and cannabis products.
Justin Nordhorn, Director of Policy & External Affairs at the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee’s Monday meeting said: “I believe that biometrics will be implemented in a short time.” How we do this is important.
The biometric age verification process is used to confirm a person’s identity online or in person through facial or fingerprint analysis. In Washington, its use is permitted. It is also used by companies such as Amazon One and CLEAR. They allow airport passengers to bypass government security lines using scans of their fingerprints or eyes after signing up for a government passport or ID.
The Legislature passed House bill 1493 in 2017, which regulates the commercial use biometric data. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 6280 in 2020. This law requires that state and local agencies using biometric technology adhere to certain requirements. These include a report on accountability and notification to the Legislature of their intentions to use the technology.
Nevertheless, biometric age verification can be used in conjunction with a state issued ID or driver’s licence, but it cannot be the only form of identification.
Nordhorn said to the committee, “We’re neutral about the concept of biometrics but we do see some challenges and also some risks.”
He said that “Facial Recognition is not always equal across the board” with one company reporting an identification rate of 10 percent. He said that as this technology becomes more popular, many people may leave their IDs and credit cards at home. This could cause problems if the biometric age verification fails to identify the person.
Nordhorn stated that grocery stores, such as Fred Meyer, that already require customers to scan their licenses when purchasing alcohol would be the best place to start.
He added, “When we look at the oversight of this technology, are there any audit functions, or reporting options, that may need to be taken into consideration? What are the security measures if you give someone your ID or these scans? Is it accessible to the state or not?”
Nordhorn stated that “we do not believe we are in a position to develop these rules” and added that the State Department of Licensing will need to be included in the discussion.
Norhorn responded to Sen. Drew MacEwen’s (R-Shelton), who asked if the legislature or state board had to determine the practical, logistics and security issues. Norhorn replied, “we don’t have to know all the answers.”
Steve Conway, a senator from Tacoma, expressed his concerns about the age verification process. He said: “I am concerned that we will lose control of it if there are so many methods.”
State Liquor and Cannabis Board took up this issue first in June, in response to Claire Mitchell’s request, a partner of Stoel Rives law firm, who represents food and beverages businesses that serve alcohol. She requested five sections to be amended in state law.
This article was originally published by The Center Square.
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Photo by Philip Steffan.
The post Washington State could allow the use of facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to buy marijuana and alcohol first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
