More Details on Touch ID ⇥ blogs.wsj.com

Danny Yadron and Ian Sherr, on the coincidentally-named Digits blog:

Apple’s new iPhone 5S, which comes with a fingerprint scanner, won’t store actual images of users’ fingerprints on the device, a company spokesman confirmed Wednesday, a decision that could ease concerns from privacy hawks.

Rather, Apple’s new Touch ID system only stores “fingerprint data,” which remains encrypted within the iPhone’s processor, a company representative said Wednesday. The phone then uses the digital signature to unlock itself or make purchases in Apple’s iTunes, iBooks or App stores.

Furthermore, this data isn’t ever uploaded or accessed by a third party. Of course, this hasn’t stopped the tabloids and conspiracy nutcases from coming out in droves.