The Dark Side of Biometrics: Why They’re Bad for Healthcare
Biometrics is a technology that uses biological and behavioral characteristics to identify and authenticate individuals. Biometric identification has been employed in various fields, including healthcare. However, biometrics is not without its downsides, especially in healthcare. This article explores the negative impact of biometrics on healthcare.
The Dangers of Biometrics in Healthcare
One of the significant drawbacks of biometrics in healthcare is the privacy concerns of the patients. Biometric data, which includes fingerprints, retina scans, and voice recognition, is sensitive personal information that could be used for unauthorized purposes. In healthcare, this information could be used to track a patient’s movements or health record, which could lead to unintentional breaches of privacy and confidentiality.
Furthermore, biometric data can be compromised, stolen, or tampered with, just like any other data. Hackers could manipulate the data to alter sensitive health information, which could lead to medical identity theft, where criminals use stolen biometric data to obtain medical services fraudulently.
The Negative Impact on Patient Care
Biometric technology could have a negative effect on patient care. Biometric authentication could slow down patient identification processes, especially in emergency situations. Additionally, biometric technology can suffer from errors, which could lead to misidentification of patients. That could result in incorrect medical treatments, incorrect diagnoses, and even medication errors.
Unintended Consequences of Biometrics in Healthcare:
Another significant concern with biometric technology in healthcare is that it could lead to unintended consequences. According to research, biometric technology is more prevalent in countries with weak data protection laws, which could lead to abuses of the technology. Additionally, biometric technology could create a sense of exclusion and mistrust among patients who do not wish to share their biometric data.
Conclusion
Biometric technology has been employed in various fields, including healthcare, to authenticate and identify individuals. However, the technology has its downsides, particularly in the healthcare sector. Biometric technology poses significant privacy concerns, could slow down emergency identification processes, and could lead to unintended consequences. Healthcare providers should consider all these factors before implementing biometric technology.
