By Sayyedeh Parastoo Vakili

 

First, the development of fingerprinting emerged, which served as a reliable means of personal identification. Then DNA profiling furthered the process of identifying suspects and catching perpetrators. Nowadays, iris scanning biometrics and facial recognition devices are not only the most reliable form of identification, but they also keep track of who is entering and exiting the country. Iris scanning biometrics are utilized to verify and authenticate the individual’s identity by measuring the unique patterns in the colored circle of their eyes. The accuracy and efficiency of biometric technologies have been tested throughout years. According to Fortune, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to expand the amount of biometric data collection at the borders. Their goal is to collect a combination of fingerprints, facial images, and iris scans of foreigners who are vising the United States.

 

Proponents of the of the iris scanning biometric argue that its expansion can result in better border security and enhanced national security. In addition, advanced biometric authentication technologies can also be utilized as another layer of security for even the mobile users that are concerned with sensitive business and personal data. Furthermore, according to a recent 2016 UN news article, iris scanning has been tremendously helpful and successful with the Syrian refugees in Jordan who are receiving UN supplies. These refugees are purchasing food from camp supermarkets by scanning their eyes instead of giving cash or any other payment methods. In order to keep track of their shopping activity, once a shopper’s eye has been scanned, the system automatically connects with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) registration database to confirm the identity of the refugee, check their past purchases, save their current purchase, and print out a receipt.

 

While the proponents of iris scanning biometrics point out its benefits, others argue that the innovative iris scanning technology leads to privacy concerns such as placing travelers’ personal information at a greater risk of electronic fraud and unwarranted surveillance. In a recent news article from BBC, an American Civil Liberties Union advocate said, “it is deeply concerning that hundreds of thousands of people’s iris scans are being added to a biometric database without public debate, proper safeguards, or even awareness that such data has been taken and is being stored.” Furthermore, there is also the question of how long the government should store the collected biometric data that is taken from people entering and exiting the country.

 

This cutting-edge technology is promising for the future of our security industry. With cybersecurity frequently combatting new technological changes, iris scanning biometrics can solve this issue. Despite the lack of public trust of adopting biometrics, its technological possibilities of the authentication process and a better security system are far greater than a privacy issue that could potentially be fixed.

 

Bio: Sayyedeh Parastoo is a Book Review Editor of the Journal of High Technology Law. She is currently a 3L at Suffolk Law. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Sociology, and a M.S. in Crime and Justice Studies (MSCJS), both from Suffolk University.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are the views of the author alone and do not represent the views of JHTL or Suffolk University Law School.