BIOMETRIC USE IN SOCIETY.
Biometric refers to the use of distinct physiological or behavioural characteristics to identify individuals. Biometrics was first used by London Metropolitan Police as early as 1901 to identify individuals. There are two types of biometric modalities physiological and behavioural. Pugliese, (24). Physiological biometric include palm vein recognition, fingerprint, face recognition and iris. Behavioural biometrics include voice and signature recognition. Notably, many countries, organization and companies have found the use of iris recognition as the best biometric technology for identification. The use of iris recognition is essential in places like in law enforcement, border crossing, private companies and banking sector. Here are the primary applications of biometric in our society.
With the advancement of biometric technology, biometric modalities are features in mobile phones—for example, facial, fingerprint, and voice recognition. To meet user demands, all major smartphone companies are producing mobile phones with biometric features. Many developed nations are using biometric technologies to enhance security at their border points. For instance, Russia has deployed the use of biometric technology for the identification of tourists from visa-free states. Also, the U.S has introduction Status Indicator Technology system which can identify a digital fingerprint on the visa of a visitor or immigrant.
According to Boulgouris et al. (84), the introduction of a national biometric program has enhanced security in many nations. In this regard, many countries have adopted this technology, including France, Germany, India, and Morocco. A biometric national identification card consists of birth, name, address, date, citizenship, a unique number and biometric profile. Identification of people in a country is made more accessible by the use of this technology.
Banks across the globe have introduced the use of biometric technology to reduce if not eradicate the cases of fraud. Moreover, biometric technology has reduced the long tiresome banking process since this technology makes banking convenient and faster. Biometric banking is mostly in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, other countries are adopting the use of biometric banking. Recently, many banks are introducing eye-scanning technology to replace the use of a pin, especially in automated teller machines. Jain et al. (152).
Numerous institution and companies use biometric technology for management purposes. There are several reasons for using biometric in management, such as attendance of the employees, identity management, and access to critical areas. Biometric recognition increases accountability and prevents buddy punching, time theft and extra payroll.
Law enforcement agencies in the world have adopted the use of biometric modalities, thus strengthening their systems. Evidence from a crime scene like fingerprints is traced in the law enforcing agency database in search of a match. Morley (174), states that the United States deployed the use of iris scans in prisons in 1996 to eradicate the cases of inmates having a false identity. Furthermore, the behavioural and physical characteristics, punishment, crime type, entry and exit dates are recorded in the biometric database. Many airports are now using biometric technology to improve security. Los Angeles airport introduced the use of a face scanner device for identification of the passengers.
Governments in the world are using biometric technology to enhance their services to their citizens. In India, the government has created a vast biometric database for 1.3 billion citizens to improve government welfare services. Numerous governments are using biometric technology to conduct national elections. The creation of an election database has reduced cases of election irregularities across the globe.
Biometric technology has brought solutions which are accepted by many institutions, government agencies, banks and hospitals. The technology has various advantages such as enhancing accuracy by the use of physical traits like retina, fingerprints and palm vein. Biometric technology has enhanced security through the provision of multiple types of solutions which are difficult to hack compared to passwords. The technology has improved the accountability of activities performed by individuals. For a person to login in the security system, the biometric security requires direct interactions, thus allowing 100% accountability for all activities by people. You, et al. (201-205). Biometric solutions are convenient as a person have the credentials with them such as fingerprint, so they don’t need to memorize. The technology saves time as a person only needs to use the prints to pass the security system. It has enabled companies to reduce the cost of tracking their employees. Biometric systems are flexible since you have the credentials with you. Therefore, you don’t need to create a complex password. Biometrics provide scalable solutions for many types of projects. Biometric technology is vital in banking security systems, government projects, and workforce management.
Many people trust the biometric solution compared to other solutions. In this regard, banks use biometric security to improve the reliability and safety of their clients.
On the other hand, biometric technologies have numerous disadvantages such as, the biometric modalities depend on physical traits that are not changeable; for instance, the eyes and fingerprints. Biometric machines can cause errors; in rare scenarios, the devices can allow an unauthorized person in the security system. On the contrary, the machines can reject authorized personnel. The cost of buying the biometric software, programmers, servers and devices are relatively high compared to other security devices. Morley (115), states biometrics have a complex system which requires skilled and experienced programmers to manage the system well. Biometric modalities can face-scanning difficulties such as iris scanning because of various reasons including reflections from the cornea, eyelashes, and eyelids, thus making the technology not to be reliable. Several biometric modalities require a further hardware integration which is expensive and sophisticated.
Biometric technology has impacted society in numerous ways, such as the creation of employment opportunities. Installation and maintenance of biometrics need a large number of professionals. Additionally, the production of biometric software needs a lot of professional personnel, thus reducing the unemployment rate. Biometrics have also saved time for the people, especially those in densely populated countries as it is efficient and fast. The technology is beneficial to the physically challenged people and the senior citizens as they can quickly identify themselves using biometrics.
The use of biometric has made people sceptical in regards to government intentions. Mostly, biometric recognition is associated with law enforcement agencies, and this has led to the emergency of conspiracy theories. People had the feeling that the governments intend to watch their activities. From the photos in social media, face biometric produce a biometric profile which can be useful in surveillance applications which makes the people doubtful on the intentions of the government. Breaches of biometric data are witness year by year, and it is a significant concern of many people in society. According to Boulgouris, et al. (252), people are afraid that the hackers can steal their biometric data bearing in mind that if biometrics of an individual is compromised cannot be changed. Several people who have been affected by accidents, working conditions or impaired disease may feel left –out in the use of biometrics because they might not be able to use biometric modalities such as fingerprints or iris recognition. Manufacturing plants producing biometric software pollute the environment hence affecting the lives of the people.
Works Cited
Boulgouris, N. V., et al. Biometrics: Theory, Methods, and Applications. John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
Jain, Anil K., et al. Introduction to Biometrics. Springer Science & Business Media, 2011.
Morley, Deborah. Understanding Computers in a Changing Society. Cengage Learning, 2014.
Pugliese, Joseph. Biometrics: Bodies, Technologies, Biopolitics. Routledge, 2012.
You, Zhisheng, et al. Biometric Recognition: 11th Chinese Conference, CCBR 2016, Chengdu, China, October 14-16, 2016, Proceedings. Springer, 2016.