The Impact of Biometrics Exclusion on Society: Understanding the Consequences
With the rapid advancements in technology, biometrics has become an increasingly popular method of authentication. It refers to the use of unique physiological or behavioral characteristics – such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans – to verify a person’s identity. While biometric identification has its benefits, such as enhanced security and convenience, it also has its downsides, such as exclusion. In this article, we will explore the impact of biometrics exclusion on society and its consequences.
What is Biometrics Exclusion?
Biometric exclusion refers to the individuals who are unable to use biometric identification methods due to physical or other factors. While biometric identification can be a reliable and efficient method of authentication, certain individuals, such as those with disabilities, may encounter difficulties using it. This can lead to exclusion from services, which can have serious implications.
Consequences of Biometrics Exclusion on Society
Biometric exclusion can have a significant impact on society, including disadvantages for vulnerable groups and inequality. For example, suppose a person has a disability that affects their ability to use certain types of biometric systems. In that case, they will be unable to perform simple tasks such as opening a bank account or accessing healthcare services, leading to exclusion from essential services.
Additionally, biometric systems are not 100% accurate, and there is always a risk of false positives and false negatives. False positives occur when a biometric system identifies an individual as someone else, while false negatives occur when a biometric system fails to recognize an authorized individual. This can lead to individuals being excluded from essential services or falsely accused of crimes, which can have severe consequences.
Examples of Biometrics Exclusion
There have been several examples of biometrics exclusion in recent years. For example, facial recognition technology used by law enforcement agencies has been found to have higher error rates when identifying people of color and women. As a result, individuals from these groups are more likely to experience exclusion and discrimination due to biometric systems.
Moreover, biometrics exclusion can occur in various fields such as healthcare. For instance, patients with certain disabilities may not have reliable fingerprint patterns, making it difficult for them to use biometric systems to access healthcare services. This leads to exclusion from essential healthcare services.
Solutions to Biometrics Exclusion
To address biometrics exclusion, it is necessary to ensure that biometric systems are accessible by all individuals regardless of their abilities. This can be done by improving the design of biometric systems to be more inclusive and taking into consideration the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Moreover, policymakers must ensure that biometric systems are designed equitably, minimizing errors and reducing the risk of discrimination. Finally, it is necessary to raise awareness about the consequences of biometric exclusion and promote inclusive policies to mitigate its effects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while biometric identification has its benefits, such as enhanced security and convenience, biometric exclusion can have significant consequences. It can lead to exclusion from essential services, discrimination, and false accusations, which can have severe effects on individuals and society as a whole. To address biometric exclusion, it is necessary to promote inclusive policies and ensure that biometric systems are accessible to all individuals.
