Biometrics Institute announces initiatives to support ethical and responsible biometrics use

The Biometrics Institute observed Data Privacy Day on January 28 by announcing its work on several projects to promote the responsible and ethical use of biometrics, and participation in a number of upcoming industry events.

The projects in progress include a regular update of the Institute’s Privacy Guidelines, the creation of a code of Ethical Principles for Biometrics, and the planning for a pair of upcoming events hosted by the Institute.

“Every two years the Institute undertakes a review of its Privacy Guidelines to ensure that it keeps up with the fast-paced technology advances we are observing,” says Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive of Biometrics Institute, “it allows our biometrics community to agree on requirements and good-practices that these developments pose as challenges to our industry.”

The Privacy Guidelines contain 16 principles on a range of issues related to data privacy and security, and are meant to apply across different jurisdictions and international borders in recognition of the way biometrics and information technologies extend beyond boundaries across different fields.

Ethical Principles for Biometrics are being composed with guidance from the Biometrics Institute Privacy Expert Group (PEG), and the Institute is now in external consultation with regulators, human rights and privacy advocates. The principles are expected to be released in the first quarter of 2019.

The annual Biometrics Institute US Conference will be held on March 26 in Washington, D.C., and feature a panel on the responsible and ethical use of biometrics. The Institute is also partnering with the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) for the upcoming ID @ Borders & Future of Travel Conference 2019 in Vienna, April 11 and 12, where the theme of privacy data management will also be explored.

The Biometrics Institute has also been engaging with Microsoft and other organizations regarding the responsible use of facial recognition technologies, and will attend the CPDP conference in Brussels on January 31 to participate in a panel on the legal, social, and ethical implications of facial recognition.

In December, the Biometrics Institute announced several new board members and an update of its mission statement.

Article Topics

best practices  |  biometrics  |  Biometrics Institute  |  data protection  |  privacy  |  standards