Is it legal for a store clerk to scan my ID when I buy alcohol (without my permission)?
I recently bought beer in Illinois (it was at a Casey’s General Store), and I was asked to show my ID. I handed it to the clerk and just expected him to check my date of birth and picture, but he flipped it over and held the barcode under a scanner. I was sort of annoyed that he didn’t ask me if he could scan it. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but there’s personal information in those barcodes and I don’t like the idea of my name, address, birthdate, and who knows what else (possibly SS#) going into the store’s computer.
So, here’s my question… do you think it’s OK for stores to do this, particularly without asking first, and would you be concerned if someone scanned your ID? Also, does anyone know if there are any laws that regulate ID scanning? Thanks!
To clarify (for toodeemo), I don’t mind showing my ID since I’m in my 20s, but I don’t like the idea of them scanning the barcode on the back and having a record of my personal information in their computer.
For those of you who aren’t concerned about privacy with regard to ID scanning, here’s why I don’t like it…
First, I don’t want the store to have a record of my personal information, which could be potentially sold / used for solicitation purposes.
Additionally, I’m concerned that it could be sent to a state/federal database and I will be labeled as a drinker… and you never know how that information could be used. Police could have a list of drinkers that they would be more likely to be pull over to check for DUIs after routinely running their plates. It could be used in criminal or civil cases (to establish a drinking pattern). Who knows what else…
I’m not saying any of this is happening now, and I’m not accusing anyone of doing anything wrong. I’m just saying that it’s all possible depending on what happens (or could potentially happen) to our personal information once it enters store computers. If anyone has other info, please keep posting answers. Thanks in advance!
It’s illegal to scan or photocopy those kinds of IDs without the owner’s permission.
NO. stores are not allowed to scan your dl. You can call your local police dept non emergency line and talk to them about what information is on your dl. each state is different and some states are just for looks, and some states its not a scan, it’s acutally manual data input.
I don’t know what your state’s laws are, but it is illegal for them NOT to ask to see it. The new ID scanners are supposed to detect fake ID’s which have gotten very sophisticated, and are actually even more criminal nowadays because of homeland security and illegal immigration and such. I went to a seminar on underage drinking and they were showing some of this new technology. The barcode tells when and where the id was issued as well as the right birthdate, etc., so they can spot a fake if the #’s don’t match up. You can ask them about it I suppose, but if you wouldn’t let them scan it, they would probably refuse the alcohol sale. That would most likely be your recourse.
They dont need your permission. And you dont need to buy alcohol if you dont like them checking your ID.
EDIT FOR ASKER:
I understand your concern there. And I agree with you. But that is the way it is in today’s culture. These are the freedoms we give up every time we grant the Federal Government certain rights to keep track of us in the name of Homeland Security. And it will continue to get worse. Once the government takes away, it does not give it back. Soon, all of that information will be on your license, in your fingerprint information and virtually every other form of ID you use, including that strip on the back of your credit card.
From that point of view, I completely agree with you.
Never known of it to be done. Are you JUST of legitimate age. Maybe he scanned it to make sure it wasn’t fake. Why did he say he scanned it?
There’s a reason why those bar codes are on the IDs, pal. If I were the clerk and you told me, ‘hey, don’t scan my ID’. I’d say, ‘OK. Then I can’t sell you any alcohol’.
It was to verify that the card wasn’t a fake is all. The magnetic strip doesn’t have any personal information on it that the store itself can get that isn’t on the front of the card. The SS# isn’t on there at all. It’s for their protection because if you were actually underage or under cover and they didn’t verify the license, they would be screwed.
In many stores, there are signs that may say “we check id’s for EVERYONE” or “we check ID’s for anyone who LOOKS 30 or younger” or something similar. Don’t worry about it.
actually yes they can,, you DO NOT OWN your ID.. (found this out the hard way) your ID is actually owned bythe state or the federal government , depending on the type of id..like your credit card, you do not own it and they can ask to have it confiscated by store clerks.
With so much sophisticated identity theft going on these days, it’s just one of those annoying procedures we’re going to see more and more of. The scanner that the clerk used to “read” your driver’s license performed several functions such as scanning images from both sides of the license, converting and capturing the data/information from the card, recognized the correct State for the driver’s license from a 50 state database and recognized automatically what data (name, address etc.) is located in each part of that State’s license. The scanner helped verify accuracy and identity by comparing information taken from 3 different sources on the driver’s license to prevent the use of altered licenses. It’s just like all the airport security we go through now. If you want to fly (or buy liquor), you have to put up with it. It’s just going to get more high tech as time goes by. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re not all required to have a microchip inserted under our skin for ID some day to be read by a scanner.
Its totally legal. Its there to keep fake IDs from working. Its actually a requirement to scan them in most places. The computer/register won’t ring up alcohol without a valid ID scan.
As far as your concerns of big brother using the info for evil deeds. Ease up on the conspiracy intake.