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    I do not understand how cancelable biometric solves the "Problem of not-changeable (characteristics)" point. Even with passwords, if you like, you may generate a new hash by modifying the salt each day, while the actual password remains the same (and no user's complaint). The issue here is that, while with passwords a user has got the ability to choose another password, with biometric a user loose this possibility and cannot choose another thumbprint over time or for different applications... Commented Nov 16, 2013 at 9:32
  • Because, there isn't a single (or very few) piece(s) of information about thumbprint stored in DB (or where ever you store data). Forging thumbprint is not really an option (unlike password). Think of it as black and white picture (with none or next to none grey-scale colors) - where was the blue color in the original image? Was there any? Yet, we can assume, each this b&w picture stored in DB is unique. Commented Nov 16, 2013 at 13:16
  • From the information stored in DB you cannot deduce the thumbprint, it is equivalent to a password hash. So if this DB info is used for some authentication and has been stolen, changing the salt or using cancelable biometric will change this database representation and make the stolen information useless. However, if someone reproduced the fingerprint, no matter how this database representation is changed the fake fingerprint will always work. When a password is stolen, one can change it. When your thumbprint is stolen, how do you change it? Does cancelable biometric help? Commented Nov 18, 2013 at 15:32
  • You can't reproduce fingerprint. You can't even use stolen credentials to gain access (in the same fashion you would with passwords) link Commented Nov 18, 2013 at 16:35
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    1) Fingerprint.... What about handicapped people with no hands? 2) Face Recognition.... do you want your twin to log in to your account? What if instead of 1 other twin, you actually have 11 of them.. voices.yahoo.com/tunisian-woman-allegedly-pregnant-4089411.html Commented Jan 31, 2014 at 5:02