Method and system for biometric based access control of media content presentation devices

A centralized biometric system for verifying the identity of a user over a communications network includes a device that stores biometric information in association with information that identifies users. The system further includes a receiver that receives, from a media content presentation device via a communications network, a biometric sample provided by a user requesting media content from a provider. The provider delivers the media content requested by the user from the communications network to the media content presentation device for receipt by the user contingent upon the identity of the user being verified. The system further includes a processor that compares the biometric sample provided by the user to stored biometric information of the user. The processor verifies the identity of the user upon a sufficient correspondence between the biometric sample provided by the user and the stored biometric information of the user.