ETHICAL PRACTICE IN THE USE OF BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIERS WITHIN THE EU

Ethical issues surrounding the actual and proposed use of biometric identifiers within the EU are identified. The paper starts by defining biometric technology and biometric identification. This is followed by some examples of biometric identifiers presently used in private applications across the world. These examples lead to consideration of some of the ethical problems likely to be encountered when public authorities start using biometrics in travel documents and databases. A brief exploration of current EU policy initiatives involving biometric identifiers is then undertaken to indicate the scope of the problem. A number of ethical issues surrounding the use of biometrics will be articulated, and an assessment will be made of whether the norms and standards applied to the use of biometric identifiers are appropriate. It is concluded that the application of biometric technology should be consistent, justified and linked to appropriate protections