Archive
Biometrics in Argentina: Mass Surveillance as a State Policy
advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org
Two years ago, the UK dismantled their national ID scheme and shredded their National Identity Registry in response to great public outcry over the privacy-invasive program. Unfortunately privacy protections have been less rosy elsewhere. In Argentina, the national ID fight was lost some time ago. A law enacted during the military dictatorship forced all individuals to obtain a government-mandated ID. Now, they are in the process of enhancing its mandatory National Registry of Persons (RENAPER) with biometric data such as fingerprints and digitized faces. The government plans to repurpose this database in order to facilitate “easyaccess” to law enforcement by merging this data into a new, security-focused integrated system. This raises the specter of mass surveillance, as Argentinean law enforcement will have access to Read more…
6.4 quake shakes northern Argentina, capital
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—A magnitude-6.4 earthquake has struck north-central Argentina, shaking things up enough to make people evacuate some buildings in the capital hundreds of miles (kilometers) away.
The U.S. Geological Service says the quake’s epicenter was 80 miles (130 kilometers) southeast of Santiago del Estero, a provincial capital of 250,000 people and the 12th-largest city in Argentina.
It was centered deep underground, nearly 400 miles (600 kilometers) below the surface, where quakes generally cause less damage.
The shaking prompted people to spill out of the San Isidro courts building in Buenos Aires province Friday morning.
Argentina considers OPEC-like deal for lithium
BUENOS AIRES — Argentina is promoting the idea of an OPEC-like cartel for itself, Bolivia and Chile, which together control 85 percent of the world’s reserves of lithium, a key component in electric car batteries.
“In the near future and with our production at such a high level, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile will control the lithium market,” said Rodolfo Tecchi, the director of the technology and science promotion division of the Argentine Ministry of Science and Technology.
“They could do it with a sort of OPEC-like arrangement,” he added.
The three countries, which Forbes magazine calls the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,” would establish “control mechanisms for the sale of lithium carbonate, avoiding Read more…
Argentine towns suffer under falling volcanic ash
Divers of the Prefectura Naval Argentina inspect the Rio Limay covered with ash from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano chain at the mountain resort of San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina's Patagonia June 16, 2011. Some towns in Argentina's Patagonia remain blanketed in volcanic ash. Airline activity is getting back to normal after days of chaos caused by a towering ash cloud, but Andean towns are covered in a thick, ashed blanket that is disrupting water and power supplies and raising fears over the key winter ski season that starts next month.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The government of one province in Argentina declared an economic emergency on Thursday to aid towns where falling ash from Chile’s erupting volcano is endangering livestock and keeping tourists away.
The emergency in Neuquen province follows a similar measure by the national government in other parts of Patagonia where agriculture has been hit by accumulating volcanic ash.
The decree by Gov. Jorge Sapag will mean that those affected can receive tax benefits, among other measures.
Chile’s Cordon Caulle volcano began erupting June 4, spewing ash that has disrupted flights in countries ranging from Uruguay to Australia.
The ash has also blanketed towns across the border in Argentina. In the area of Villa La Angostura, located 24 miles (38 kilometers) from the volcano, up to one foot (30 centimeters) of ash has accumulated on the ground.
The ash has made it difficult to drive safely on roads, and the eruption came Read more…
Argentinian Government Explores Biometric Security Technology with Cross Match
Cross Match Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of biometric identity solutions, has entered into an agreement with the Argentinian Government to support the deployment of identity management systems throughout the country.
The National Public Administration of Argentina is evaluating new biometric systems to support key administration activities. “We will promote the use and implementation of new biometric technology and electronic equipment,” states Pedro Janices, National Director of the National Office of Information Technologies. “Biometric devices will help to enhance existing and forthcoming services provided by the Government.”
Cross Match will provide guidance and expertise in the areas of forensic-quality fingerprint and palm print capture devices, multimodal biometric capture systems, document readers, software and Read more…
Argentina accuses US of trying to smuggle weapons into country
Diplomatic row over cargo US claims was intended for training program further sours already poor relationship
Relations between the US and Argentina have deteriorated after Buenos Aires lodged a formal complaint over a US military plane that landed late last week carrying guns, drugs and satellite phones.
The Argentinian government claimed the US was trying to sneak the weapons into the country, though it didn’t offer an explanation of why Washington might want to do this.
The US state department said the consignment was intended for a police training program in Argentina.
Officials from Argentina and the state department have been in talks aimed at resolving the row.
The relationship between the two countries has been poor since Barack Obama released details of a Latin American tour next month that includes Brazil, Chile and El Salvador but not Argentina.
The Argentinian foreign ministry, in a statement on Sunday night, said “sensitive material” had been seized that had not been declared on the inventory submitted by the US embassy, including weapons, GPS equipment and drugs such as morphine. Read more…
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/gold/t24_au_en_usoz_2.gif)
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/silver/t24_ag_en_usoz_2.gif)
crisisboom
CRISISBOOM 
You must be logged in to post a comment.