Mark of the Beast: Woman sues over driver's license biometrics

Kaye Beach of Oklahoma believes that allowing the Department of Public Safety to fingerprint and photograph her in high resolution is "the beginning stages of the [Biblical] mark of the beast."

“The bottom line for me as a Christian was that I believe that the Bible clearly warns us against being enrolled in a global system of identification and financial control that ties to our bodies,” Beach said.

When she renewed her license in the mid-2000s, Beach asked if fingerprints were necessary, and they were, so she complied. But in 2011 when her license was up for renewal again, she says she couldn't do it.

She told DPS officials that biometrics including fingerprints and a high-resolution photograph were against her religious beliefs, and asked if there were alternative options, such as a low-resolution photo. But state statute required a photo compatible with facial-recognition software.

She now has no valid driver's license. Her complaint states that "as a result of the state's refusal to provide accommodation," Beach has been "denied the ability" to drive her car, use a debit card, acquire prescriptions, book a hotel, or obtain a P.O. box.

"At first you get the impression that she’s really out there," Attorney David Slane told KFOR.

"As you take a look at the lawsuit itself, her lawyers have been very crafty in Constitutional claim of her religious objection and I think the courts may take a closer look at it," Slane said.

Beach, a self-described crusader for personal liberty, regularly writes on her website and Twitter against biometric tracking, facial recognition software, drones, and even cases where bulk ID swipes from bars are handed over to police.

"Your once lowly driver’s license that is now empowered with machine readable technology (RFID or 2D barcodes) and your facial biometrics, is performing exactly as designed," Beach wrote. "These technologies are designed to make you easier to track, monitor and control."

Beach says that eventually, databases storing Americans' biometrics will be hacked, identity theft will be rampant, and citizens will be forced to get identifying chips or tattoos.