Biometric Technology in Our Everyday Life
Canadians are now curious about biometric technology as a way of verifying people’s identities. It includes fingerprint scans, facial recognition and iris scans. This system has made identity recognition convenient, but some people have privacy concerns. Let’s take a look at biometric expert Kevin Cochran’s view on the subject.
What is biometrics?
Biometric technology measures a number of physical features. Due to its technological foundation, it provides fast and reliable results. Home security has also improved because of this system.
Only authorized people are allowed into buildings or rooms when companies take advantage of this technology. Due to security issues, people sometimes compare the riskiness of biometric technology to a roulette game.
The information stored is “biometric characteristics” and refers to:
- Voice recognition
- Iris / retina scans
- Fingerprints
- Facial scans
A qualification in data science would allow you to work with biometric technology. This field will enable people to store, collect and sort through data. Thousands of Canadians seek qualified employees to assist with their biometrics integration. It has opened doors for skilled workers to maintain online roulette Canada.
Commonly Used Biometrics
The Canadian government is now using more and more biometric technology. Iris scans are commonly used in the Canpass and Nexus border clearance programs. Airports in the country also use iris scans and fingerprint verifications. Lastly, facial recognition is a way of gaining access to electronic devices.
The most commonly used recognition system is an ID photo. This is also linked to the roles of the facial recognition apparatus. Due to this, some people are worried about thieves stealing their information for their personal gain. Let’s have a look at some of the biggest worries.
Privacy Concerns
People should always remember the following principles when using biometric technology:
- Covert collection: People have the right to know if their data is being collected. This principle is sometimes tricky to uphold because the information is publicly accessible.
- Cross-matching: Personal information should only be used for its primary purpose and nothing else. Some people fear their data being used for identity theft if it lands in the wrong hands.
- Secondary information: An individual’s details should only be collected for a legitimate purpose.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada does regular privacy audits to ensure biometric security. The government has also developed privacy laws to allay some of these fears.
Laws and Protocols
The government works hard to ensure that all citizens are protected. They protect people’s privacy by enforcing rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to these rules is a criminal offence, and you may be charged for fraud. The following rules surround the use of biometric technology in Canada:
- The Privacy Act
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
- The Social Assistance Reform Act
These laws are aimed at protecting the privacy of citizens who use biometric technology. Their personal information, such as ID numbers and employment status, need to be protected and not abused. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada oversees these laws closely.
Passport Canada has developed plenty of measures to control and reduce privacy issues in airports. An electronic passport that contains a microchip has been created in the country.
This device only contains information needed for travel verification purposes. It also ensures the proper disposal of information that is no longer needed. This offers citizens the peace of mind of knowing their data is not stored on unsafe databases.
Stay Alert
Although the government takes measures to ensure your biometric security, you also need to be vigilant. Be careful when giving out private information, and be mindful of the data collection behaviours of companies you work with or for.