Biometric technology has long been used for security and law enforcement purposes such as national security watch lists, passport controls, criminal fingerprint databases, and immigration processing. Now, however, the private sector increasingly uses these systems as a verification method for authentication that previously required a PIN or password. Apple’s decision to include a fingerprint scanner in the iPhone in 2013 brought new public awareness to possible non-law-enforcement applications of biometric technologies, and the company’s shift to facial recognition access in the most recent models further normalized the concept. Biometric technology continues to be adopted in many sectors, including financial services, transportation, health care, computer systems and facility access, and voting. In many cases, this technology is more efficient, less expensive, and easier to use than traditional alternatives, while also eliminating the need for passwords, which are broadly recognized as an insufficiently secure safeguard for user data. However, as with any digital system, there are privacy concerns around the collection, use, storage, sharing, and analysis of the data that are generated by these systems.
Privacy Ins and Outs for 2014
Happy New Year! Happy New Year from the Future of Privacy Forum! Here is our 2014 List of Ins and Outs for your enjoyment. On behalf of the entire team at FPF we wish you a fulfilling New Year. Chris and Jules 1. Privacy Notices for Websites 1. Privacy Notices for Sensors 2. Smith v. Maryland 2. Fourth Amendment […]
Apple Introduces New Privacy Features with iOS 7
With all the excitement around the launch of the new iPhone and iOS 7, we thought it would be interesting to highlight some new privacy-specific features. Some of these have been introduced as part of the iOS 7 software; others, like the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, are specific to the new iPhone. Here are some […]
Looking at Privacy Protections for Facial Recognition
On Sunday, Google announced that it would not allow facial recognition applications on Google Glass until “strong privacy protections” were in place. But this announcement begs the very question: what sort of privacy protections can actually be put in place for this sort of technology? Thus far, concerns about facial recognition technology have appeared within the context […]
PCLOB Nomination Hearing
Last Wednesday the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for nominees to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). The Board, created in response to the 9/11 Commission, is charged with making sure privacy and civil rights are protected for executive branch activities and measures. It consists of five members appointed by the […]
Swire Presents at FBI/DOD Sponsored Facial Recognition Forum
On Wednesday, March 14 FPF Senior Fellow Peter Swire gave a talk on “Facial Recognition by the Government: Privacy and Civil Liberties Issues.” The talk took place at the third installment in the U.S. Government Facial Recognition Legal Series. Wednesday’s forum was titled “Striking the Balance – A Government Approach to Facial Recognition Privacy and […]
Dec. 21, 2011 – Facebook To Notify Europeans On Facial Recognition, Investors.com
Amid concerns about user privacy in Europe and beyond, Facebook on Wednesday announced sweeping changes to its European data collection, including notifications on a controversial facial recognition feature. Along with having to notify European users three times about its opt-out facial recognition feature, Facebook will disclose “all personal data held (about users) on request,” says […]
Ubiquitous Biometrics
Guest Post from privacy expert Kathy Harman-Stokes Speakers at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) 2010 Biometrics Conference emphasized the value of “ubiquitous biometrics.” For biometrics to become ubiquitous, one speaker said biometrics should be widely used for facilities access, by employers for time and attendance recording of employees, and customer identification for various transactions, […]
Intel, Microsoft Offer Smart-Sign Technology
Another good location for the FPF personalization icons? Retailers, Product Marketers Could Discern Viewer, Make Choices on What to Display and Transfer Coupons Via Phone WSJ Jan 12, 2010 Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. are promoting the idea of advanced digital signs in stores that aren’t just for shoppers to look at. These look back. […]
It is Official! No one is in charge of my retinal scan!
Feds announce that Clear Pass data aint their problem. Stay on this one, Marc Rotenberg! Fate of Registered Traveler data up in air after vendor quits program — Federal Computer Week. One more reason the US needs a Chief Privacy Officer is that there is so much that falls within the cracks of jurisdiction. Data […]