Biometric Identity Cards: Technical, Legal, and Policy Issues
Gerrit Hornung · 2004
It is very likely that in a few years time, most persons travelling around the world will possess a travel document that includes a biometric identifier. This development could have a major impact on research in the field of biometrics, as well as on the market of ID solutions. However, the use of biometrics poses highly controversial technical and legal problems. The technical issues are addressed by standardisation activities, which are conducted by the ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 37 and 17, as well as the International Civil Aviation Association (ICAO). From the legal perspective, states have to comply with privacy requirements enshrined in constitutions and international treaties when implementing biometrie data in ID cards. The most important questions concern the choice of the biometrie, the storage in central databases, the use in private applications, and the installation of back-up procedures to avoid discrimination. In the end, the question of whether a project as identity cards with biometrie data will be accepted in the population should not be underestimated. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.