Biometrics and Ethics Essays

Biometrics and Ethics Essays Biometrics and Ethics Paper Biometrics and Ethics Paper Biometrics is essentially the statistical measure of biological beings. More simply it is a system which is used in identifying a person by verifying a physical or biological characteristic or attribute. The primary reason for its existence is to provide a single computer system login that can immediately detect fraudulent attempts to seek unauthorized access. It supersede other systems of protection as it relies solely on information gathered which is entirely individualistic and cannot be substituted. It is the application of technologies that make use of physical traits such as hand geometry, facial and voice recognition iris and retinal scans in order to verify or recognize a person identity. (BITE , n.d.) The role of biometrics extends further then one can imagine. Its unique characteristics have rendered it important in many domains of authentication and identification. The use of finger printing is used in police and investigative departments as well as the welfare programs so as to prevent people pooling money that they are not entitled to. The same method is applied to other entitlement programs such as health care , registration systems such as voting , drivers license etc. this purpose of its use serves all too well however it has its added disadvantages when it comes to banking transactions. Once a customer has already proved their identification their fingerprints which are stored in a database can be used to check their whereabouts and other personal information. What is worse it can be done without any authorization. It’s not important whether the data stored was for welfare registrations or bank machine access the same threat applies to both cases. If a certain person left their fingerprints in a night club where a crime scene takes place then he or she is more likely to get a call from the police. This is in the real sense an infringement of privacy. Fact of the matter is that this data is being used beyond its primary purpose (technology and human values, n.d.) Biometrics has by its very nature the capability to compromise privacy in the most adequate manner. The primary concern related to the use of biometrics is perhaps that of â€Å"function creep† which is the process whereby the original use of the data is widened to include purposes other than the one stated. A good example could be of using biometric data to find out about a persons medical history. Much work needs to be done in order to eradicate this unnerving problem that is discouraging the use of technology that is otherwise extremely beneficial. (CSSS policy brief, 2003) Numerous ethical concerns surround the use of biometrics and a significant number of people are weary of its use. Retina scans are relatively intrusive and the gathering of fingerprints has a negative image in the minds of many people as they associate it with criminal activities. Moreover the detailed gathering of biometric information by the police departments and other institutions has resulted in a loss of privacy and personal dignity. The automated face recognition could be used in public areas to track everyone’s movements without their consent or knowledge. Its also rather embarrassing that people get rejected in public if there is an error in detection. it makes them seem like a fraud who is deliberately trying to break access into someone else’s private information or account. Unfortunately not much has been done to safeguard the information of people the data is easily moved and duplicated electronic information that can be put the identity of any one person at jeopardy. Every move of a client or customer can be analyzed and by the time one goes to a store to shop the sales associate might as well have ones entire history of shopping. (Biometrics security and business ethics, n.d.) Another concern that is being recognized as far as biometrics is concerned is the increasing interdependence between technology and the human body which has come to be known as the â€Å"informatisation of the body†. Biometrics technologies are issues of serious concern and these concerns are being taken into account by many European states. There is deep rooted fear amidst the people that their personal information can be used by governments, employers, insurance companies, and other interest groups. (BITE, n.d.)