Breaches of our personal information through hacking of data bases is becoming all too common. A third of Americans’ personal information was compromised in healthcare breaches in 2015. We have become numb to the fact that our personal information from forms and other information shared between companies is now on the dark web and we are all the more vigilant in protecting our identity knowing it is easily accessible.

The use of biometrics is becoming the standard for authentication. It is touted to increase the security in accessing one’s smartphone and banking applications through a fingerprint, and iris scans are used in employment and defense operations and contractors. These uses of biometrics is for security and for good reasons.

When you give your biometric information, and it is maintained or stored online, it is at risk just like your personal information. Treat your biometric information carefully and protect it from use, disclosure, and exposure to compromise.

It is becoming common for professional sports arenas to allow patrons to use biometric information in security lines to get into games through a fast track—much like TSA pre-check at an airport. The difference is that when you provide the TSA with your fingerprints, it is presumably being used for security purposes only.

When you give your fingerprints or iris scan to a professional stadium so you can get to your seat quicker, there is no understanding or prohibition on how they can use it or sell it, or more importantly, how they will protect it. They can sell it to other companies, track your attendance and purchases and if it is in a database, it can get hacked. It’s one thing to have your name, address, date of birth, and even your Social Security information compromised, but it is quite a different story when it is a fingerprint or iris scan. You only have one of those, and a security freeze can’t protect you or bring it back.

I admit that I love sports (especially hockey) and love to attend games. But there is no way I will ever give my fingerprints or iris scan to anyone so I can get to my seat a few minutes earlier. Just get to the game earlier. Stand in line and people watch—there’s no better place than at a sports arena. Fight the urge to give your biometric information and fast track it to your seat. Vigilantly protect your biometric information from use, disclosure and compromise.

[View source.]