Look at the whorls on your index finger. Every fingerprint
is almost entirely unique – that’s why they’ve been dusted for crime detection
for more than a century. Technology is moving on. Biometric scanning is the
process of checking a fingerprint, iris, or face pattern with a technological
device. But what does the mass introduction of Biometrics mean for your
privacy?
What is Biometric Scanning?
Biometric scanning is the process of ‘reading’ a physical
feature such as fingerprint, iris, face, vein, or voice. When you present your
fingerprint or iris, the biometric reader creates a digitized template which
will be used to recognize you in the future. The template is stored, either in
a central system, or on your card.
Where is Biometric Scanning Used?
Biometric scanning is already used in many workplaces,
high-tech laptops, and on passports in some European countries. It is also
being proposed for the new Identity Cards which could soon be compulsory in the
UK.
Biometric scanners are currently used to register asylum
seekers and monitor travellers passing through major airports. The UK and USA are in discussions about
sharing their biometric information in the anti-terror campaign. In Europe, the sharing of information between police and
immigration officials is being orchestrated. The Home Secretary recently
remarked that the UK
could not hope to improve its security systems by remaining inside a “bubble”,
insisting that this sharing of personal biometric data is crucial to a safe
future.
Is Biometric Scanning Foolproof?
Ever since a secondary school tested out a top-notch
Biometrics system for dishing out school dinners, then declared it too slow,
and worth another try in 12 months, biometric testing has been something of a
laughing matter. Will it really be good enough for our national security?
The National Physical Laboratory carried out tests on behalf
of the Home Office, which is looking for two methods (a primary and a back-up)
to use on the new Identity Cards. The report indicated that minor factors such
as a cut finger, poor light, bad positioning, watery eyes or contact lenses
influence the success of scanning. 98% of fingerprint scans resulted in the
successful acquisition of an image and 100% of facial scans produced a usable
image. The report also showed that, once an image was produced, the number of
false matches was quite high.
What Are The Risks To Your Privacy From Biometric Scanning?
In terms of privacy, the main concern with biometric
scanning is the storage and handling of any data acquired by biometric systems.
Storing Your Biometric Data
The UK
government does not have a reputation for handling information securely. It’s
already tentatively proposed sharing biometric data from the National Identity
Register with banks and supermarkets, and is in talks to give out more
information to other countries, resulting in a lack of privacy. An ex-MI6
operative said that the National Identity Register is a “present” for
terrorists – a fantastic target for misuse or destruction.
Using Your Biometric Data
The privacy concerns here are international. Although we’re
protected by the European Convention on Human Rights, and by the Data
Protection Act, other countries have different laws. Critics are already
worried that the new biometric passports will be too easy to read, record, and
pass on.