American Institute of CPAs compiles Global Fingerprint Database, gives data-miner ChoicePoint full-access

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has admitted to collecting CPA examinees fingerprints in a massive new Global Fingerprint Database, and to sharing these fingerprints with a foreign-owned data-mining firm.

Industry critics, including Jason Giaimo, President of Net Gain Business Consultants have spoken out against the controversial program, calling it "an Orwellian, unethical and thinly-veiled biometrics collection scheme which threatens American's privacy and puts us at risk of irreparable identity theft." Mr. Giaimo adds, "does it make any sense that a passport is sufficient identification to travel the world and enter the USA--but not to take the CPA exam? This is just Big Business masquerading as security.”   Supporters of the program maintain that it protects the test takers privacy and is necessary to properly identify exam candidates.

For the first time in its 122 years, the AICPA is forcing examinees to submit fingerprints “for identification purposes” prior to entering the exam room, or be barred from the CPA exam regardless of identification presented.  Mr. Giaimo refused to be fingerprinted under the new program, but offered to show his US passport, driver’s license, social security card – even his original birth certificate as ID.  He has thus far been prevented from completing his remaining CPA exam due to having “insufficient identification.”

ChoicePoint was recently contacted by a private individual seeking to purchase access to the fingerprints collected under the AICPA program specifically. Their sales department responded in writing “yes, we can help you” and requested a conference call be set up to continue the discussion about selling access to CPA candidates fingerprints.  ChoicePoint combines personal data sourced from multiple public and private databases for sale to the government and the private sector. The firm maintains more than 17 billion records of individuals and businesses, which it sells to an estimated 100,000 clients.

Mr. Giaimo maintains that "the assertion that a US passport and driver’s license are together still not adequate for identification is clearly ridiculous, proving that this is about data collection and NOT exam security," and that "accountants who are concerned about the trafficking of their biometric data should NOT take the CPA exam until this risky and unnecessary program is shut down.”    At this time, the fingerprinting program remains in place for CPA examinees.

Readers are encouraged to contact the Directors of the CPA exam to express their views, see e-mail listing at www.netgainconsultants.com   For interview or other questions contact Jason Giaimo at (415) 722-9674  giaimo1@aol.com    

Numerous original source references can be found at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPA_exam#Exam_Fingerprinting_.26_Privacy_Concerns