Lieutenant Commander Data Locks the Computer
Why Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange recommends it
Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange users link it as on-screen evidence in questions about how Enterprise computer security and voice authorisation work, and why Data uses the computer the way he does.
Recommended by 0 people across 0 different months, 2012 to 2016.
What it is
A 30-second clip from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Brothers" in which Data locks the Enterprise computer using a voice-authorised command sequence. It is uploaded by a fan channel with only a brief episode reference in the description.
What people said
Cites Izkata · 2012-12 · Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange · on “How do people use verbal authorisation codes in Star Trek without giving them away?”
This isn't actually an answer to the question, but I'd say it's due to badly-chosen passwords [LINK] . The computers are certainly capable of using much more secure ones [this video] that are much harder to memorize once heard... And the computer readout implies that any word can be used, not just English/Greek letters.
Cites Dacio · 2014-08 · Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange · on “Why does Data have to use a computer in Star Trek?”
One aspect that I'm surprised isn't mentioned is Data's endeavor to become more human. I'm not discounting the other answers: it certainly is a plot device to have Data acting and speaking to the computer and crew members like any everyone else and they certainly did attempt to explain (or at least hint at) the incompatibility of positronic and isolinear circuits. However, Data certainly adopted a number of anachronisms for the sake of relishing in the human experience. He paints, learns to dance, tries to be a stand up comedian, sings, plays the violin, emulates sleep (maybe just to get out of doing a 24 hour duty roster? if so, that's his most human conceit), learns to dream and accepts fo
Cites RoboKaren · 2016-09 · Science Fiction & Fantasy Stack Exchange · on “Is the Enterprise's security system really that easy to defeat?”
We see in a number of ST:TNG episodes that the security system of the Enterprise is easily bypassed by reciting the password using the voice of the captain or first officer. Notably, Data does this on a few occasions: Is the security system of the Enterprise really something that could be defeated by someone with a 1970s vintage analog tape recorder -- or did Data prehack the system to bypass other biometrics or lockouts not seen on screen?