RightsCon Toronto 2018

It may be well settled that biometric information like finger prints and facial scans offer more convenient authentication mechanisms than traditional passwords in modern computing devices, but whether this technology is suited for governance purposes is a whole other issue. While some believe that biometrics are the future when it comes to identity verification, others feel that if governments take to using biometrics this way, it would leave people vulnerable to serious security threats. Even as some governments are rolling out governance initiatives like unique identity cards featuring biometric components, there have been fears that central databases containing biometric information of an entire citizenry make prime targets for hacking, and that the failure rates inherent in the technology are simply too big to make it reliable for government use.
This panel will bring together a group of stakeholders to debate the opportunities and costs involved in using biometric technologies for governance purposes – particularly for national identity programs. The panel will go over known uses of biometrics in governance, weigh the benefits of the technology against costs, and determine whether the concerns surrounding its use in governance are justified. During the first 5 minutes of the session, the moderator will introduce the topic and the panelists, after which each panelist will present their views for 8 to 10 minutes each. This will be followed by a round of questions from the moderator to the panel, and the remaining time will be reserved for interactions with the audience.