admin Biometrics, the technology that uses data from peoples faces, fingerprints, voices, DNA profiles, and other measurements related to the body, are becoming more and more common. Yet the laws and regulations surrounding this technology are having a hard time to stay abreast with its advancement.
In its initial days, biometrics was solely used in policing and law enforcement. However, in the current era, it is used by a large number of both public and private organisations. This includes IT companies, schools, government offices, etc. This is along with the advent of more specific biometric technology which measures distinctive features, such as how people walk, and even key stroke analysis, which is based on how people type.
The Ada Lovelace Institute that had commissioned the review, in a different research paper, has said that better laws and regulation are needed so that greater scrutiny can be placed up on biometric technology before its implementation and deployment.
An institute spokesperson in a comment provided to the BBC claimed that regulators were only seen taking action after the fact. “We can think of this as a regulatory ‘whack a mole’, which we are arguing is inadequate”, the spokesperson said.
Matthew Ryder QC, who wrote the review said: “The current legal regime is divided, confused and unable to keep pace with these technological advances. We urgently need an ambitious new legislative framework specific to biometrics. The need of the hour is to ensure that proliferation of biometrics is not done under inadequate laws and regulations.”
The institute is now calling for changes which includes the following:
– Comprehensive legislation governing the use of biometric technologies.
– Oversight by an independent and national regulatory body that is properly resourced.
– A requirement for technology to meet standards of accuracy, reliability and validity as well as proportionality.
– A moratorium on systems capable of mass identification or classification in the public sector until legislation is passed.
The review also stated that, for using live facial recognition technology and software, a legally binding police code of practice was very much needed.
Biometrics have tremendous potential. All it needs is confidence from the public. And that comes with sound regulations.
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