Biometrics

Abstract

The word “biometrics” comes from the ancient Greek and literally means measure (metrics) of life (bio). Today biometrics are largely thought of as providing automated ways of managing and authenticating the identities of individuals. While biometric technologies offer certain advantages in many of their applications (e.g., a greater convenience-to-security ratio than traditional authenticators and identifiers such as complex passwords), these advantages should be carefully weighed against the reasons for ethical concern that biometrics may rise. They include both fundamental and specific ethical issues. Fundamental ethical issues are related to the central question whether biometrics are per se demeaning and abusive of human dignity. Specific ethical issues concern questions related to privacy and data protection, to surveillance, and to large-scale applications. After confronting these ethical issues with the principles set by the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, the conclusion will indicate the potential contribution of biometric technology to the development of human rights.