GameStop is implementing a new policy at a Phildadelphia store. They’re requiring those who are trading in games/certain transcations to get their fingerprints scanned. The local law in Philadelphia states that collecting fingerprints will then go into a database to track down criminals. All of the fingerprints will then go into the database LeadsOnline, the nation’s largest online investigation system.
However, the people of Philadelphia are not on the same page. Many have said to KYW Radio that they’re going “too far,” or that it’s “just a video game.” City Solicitor Shelley Smith says that “What GameStop does doesn’t meet any elements of the definition in the code,” so it doesn’t apply to them.
This could mean some new laws that will be implemented into the purchase of any type of video game in other GameStop locations. While it’s highly unlikely that such laws will be effective in other states, it makes you wonder if this could potentially happen elsewhere. This would cause each new customer to come in and get their fingerprints taken when they bring in games to trade. Fingerprints could be good in the sense that if you forget your ID to the store, you could swipe your fingerprint in GameStop and be properly identified. There’s no need for carrying the ID anymore, because it would properly identify the customer by the fingerprint they’ve given.
I understand the business model behind it. They have to make sure that they’re not taking in property that was once stolen. Video Games are also really hard to track, considering their size and how they’re sold. There’s no GPS system in video games to find where they are at any given moment. They only have the beginning purchase point at the GameStop. That’s my understanding of it anyway. With the fingerprinting system, they would be allowed to see who previously owned the game as well as who is bringing it in. However, if the video game was being used for modding/making illegal copies, GameStop would be able to track down the purchase and stop the copying faster.
There is also a level of privacy that could be breached with the fingerprinting system. If there is a friend who had received the game from a friend who bought the game at this GameStop, there would a problem with how the fingerprints would be tracked. The last one on file would be the previous owner and the new owner is coming in to try and sell it back. GameStop would have access to many fingerprints that could potentially bring up criminal history, which seems like overkill when it’s a video game retail store. There’s not a reason for them to have this kind of power without having some serious problems with criminals, considering it’s a database used by investigators.
There’s a struggle into implementing this system, as their are multiple pro’s and con’s. Whatever the decision is, there is a way to properly implement this fingerprinting system and some things that will potentially be stepping too far.
What do you all think of this policy? Do you think it will be implemented elsewhere? I’d love to know your thoughts!
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