ABSTRACT
Biometric technology identifies individuals automatically using their biological or behavioural characteristics. Modern biometric technologies offer the promise of improved authentication, establishing confidence in individual claims about identity. Biometrics can be defined as the automated method of identifying or authenticating the identity of an individual based on physical or behavioural characteristics. Biometrics is at the centre of an evolving set of policies and practices related to determining one’s identity; and establishing one’s identity is central to achieving any number of contemporary policy goals, from stopping criminals to increasing efficiencies within the welfare system. The use of biometric identification can pose significant privacy problems; and the interests of governments and citizens often conflict. The systematic use of biometric systems for the monitoring and identification of individuals has enabled segregation by public officials in the name of ‘national security’ and the support of racism, xenophobia and extremist views worldwide. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
