“Microsoft has recenty acquired a biometric API and plans to
include it in future versions of Windows to the chagrin of the
BioAPI Consortium and industry representatives.”
“Just days after Bill Gates said “interoperability” is one of
the most important aspects of network security in his US
Networld+Interop keynote, Microsoft snubbed the globally recognised
biometrics standard in favour of an API from I/O Software, which is
already compatible with Windows. The BioAPI standard is available
free on the internet and works across multiple platforms, which
include Windows, Unix and Linux.”
“While the BioAPI consortium (a group working on a global
standard for biometric technology) is pleased that Microsoft has
given its stamp of approval to biometrics, a formal statement
expressed the group’s disappointment at the software giant’s choice
of API.”