Nothing to hide biometrics, privacy and private sphere

Abstract

Biometrics could overcome - or at least have the potential for overcoming - all previous human recognition schemes, this may have unexpected consequences also for identity definition. There is an inextricable link between the construction of the private sphere and the public recognition of individuals. We exist as individuals as far as we are able to represent ourselves as autonomous subjects. This is possible only as long as we are able to use recognized identities. Basically people need to create an inner space, which is called "private". It is not essential that this space holds anything, yet it is essential that each individual has the impression that they own the keys to enter this space and have the power to open and close the door of this private realm. Privacy is not in what we hide but in having the power to hide something. © 2008 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.