3rd International Conference on ethics and biometrics, HONG KONG
4 & 5 January 2010
Press Release
Conference Presentations and Abstracts, 4 & 5 January 2010
Day 1 Presentations & Abstracts, 4 January 2010
Click here for Day 2 Presentations & Abstracts, 5 January 2010
1.Nataša Pirc Musar, Information Commissioner of the Republic of Slovenia -
'The Dangers of Electronic Traces: Data Protection Challenges Presented by New Technologies'
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This presentation discusses the current difficulties in protecting our personal data given the pervasive nature of modern digital technology. Although there are many obvious benefits to IT developments, the risks may be just as great. Not only is IT development rapid, but the market is flooded with inexpensive software and hardware capable of intruding on individuals’ privacy in a completely undetectable manner. How do we protect the information we post on the Internet, or the data that gets stored when we pass through an electronic road toll, or the phone conversations we make from our places of employment? New legislation attempts to protect our privacy, though it always lags behind IT development, making its mission difficult.
2. Benedicte Havelange, European Data Protection Supervisor -
'Data Protection in Post Lisbon EU'
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This presentation discusses data protection in the EU area of freedom, security and justice under the Lisbon Treaty. After reviewing the role of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), several outstanding issues involved in biometrics and data protection are presented, including the policy choices that must be made and the inherent risk of exclusion. Changes to the Lisbon Treaty are also discussed, in light of the fundamental rights to data protection.
3. John Kropf, Deputy Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security, USA -
'The Crossroads of Privacy and Biometrics'
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This presentation discusses the concept of privacy and its importance to biometrics. After offering an overview of the U.S. privacy framework, Mr. Kropf then outlines the goals of the Privacy Act of 1974 and subsequent US-VISIT biometric entry-exit system. Finally, the importance of biometrics and the critical role they play in protecting citizens are emphasized.
4. Alessandro Acquisti, Carnegie Mellon University, USA -
'Of Frogs and Herds: Behavioral Economics, Malleable Privacy Valuations, and Context-dependent Willingness to Divulge Personal Information'
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This presentation discusses the behavioral economics related to privacy and the public revelation of personal data. Given the dichotomy between personal attitudes about privacy versus actual behavior (e.g., posting personal information on the Internet for all to see), the question is posed whether policy makers should act on behalf of protecting the privacy rights of citizens. The results of a study performed by Carnegie Mellon suggests that methods of “soft paternalism” and “nudging privacy” may be best for increasing individual and societal welfare related to privacy concerns.
5. Tim Parker, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong -
Are We Protected? The Adequacy of Existing Legal Frameworks for Protecting Privacy in the Biometric Age
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This presentation discusses the adequacy of existing legal frameworks for protecting privacy in the Biometric Age. Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) is outlined in regards to the rights of privacy. The privacy impact of biometric data usage is then considered by looking closely at the Hong Kong ID card system. Finally, the current and predicted future state of data privacy in the People’s Republic of China is discussed.
6. Haricharan Rengamani*, Ponnurangam Kumaraguru^, Rajarishi Chakraborty*, H. Raghav Rao* - *SUNY Buffalo, ^IIIT Delhi
'The Unique Identification Number Project: Challenges and Recommendations'
Presented by Haricharan Rengamani
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This presentation discusses the challenges to India’s Unique Identification Number (UID) project and presents several recommendations to facilitate the implementation of the program. The U.S. Social Security Number program is outlined, and the suggestion is made that it has become a defacto national ID number in recent years. The National ID program in the UK and other European countries are also presented, followed by a discussion of the privacy-related aspects of biometric technologies. The presentation closes with a list of recommendations that may be made to increase public awareness about the UID program in India, facilitate enrollment and handling, and amend the legal system for its implementation.
7. Chi-Shing Chen, National ChengChi University, Taiwan -
'Biometrics Governance: H1N1 as a Case Study'
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This presentation discusses the governance of biometrics, using the recent H1N1 outbreak as a case study. Biometrics is defined as a method for uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits. As with any technology, there are both pros and cons to its application. It may be convenient and efficient, but risks to privacy and security may be exposed. The decision as to whether or not govern biometrics is not generally answered by a simple yes/no, but instead must take into account each individual application and the procedure to be imposed. This presentation looks at the issues involved in applying biometrics to the H1N1 outbreak.
8. Stephen Mak, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer, Hong Kong -
'Information, Security and Privacy'
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This presentation discusses the critical need for privacy and ethical considerations in response to the surging rate of personal information being generated and collected in our e-society. Biometrics is one such form of information for which misuse can cause serious problems to personal data privacy. Given the changes in technology innovation, the scope of ethical considerations, policies and regulations need to be addressed. The presentation lists several initiatives for enhancing ethical values for an e-society in the HKSAR, as well as discusses how to more effectively use/deploy biometrics.
9. Margit Sutrop, University of Tartu, Estonia -
'Ethical Issues in Governing Biometric Technologies - How to Maintain Public Trust?'
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This presentation deals with the ethical considerations raised by the collection, storage and use of biometric data. Comparisons are drawn with human genetic databases. It shows that besides ethical assessment of new technologies, it is also interesting to see how the advancement of these technologies has posed challenges to existing ethical frameworks, putting collective values and public interests above individual rights. The comparison of biometric databases with medical research oriented genetic databases shows that public interest may be differently constructed: while genetic databases projects create a discourse of hope, biometric databases are surrounded by a discourse of threat. What both have in common is the imbalanced discussion of benefits and risks. The lack of knowledge and understanding of possible benefits and drawbacks of new technologies makes it difficult to build and maintain authentic public trust, which is of crucial importance for good ethical governance of databases.