Report on Workshop on Ethical and social implications of biometric identification technology: towards an international approach.

Organised by the EU Commission -Science and Society in collaboration with the Centre for Science, Society and Citizenship (Rome) and Global Security Intelligence (New York)

Brussels, Berlaymont, 15-16 December, 2005 - simultaneously with the European Council.

This innovative inter-disciplinary trans-Atlantic workshop resulted from an initiative of the EU Commission. It was convened by the Commission DG research, Science and Society in the context of the f6p project on Biometric Identification Technology Ethics (BITE www.bioteprojet.org)

It was designed to be the first in a series focusing on the ethical and social implications of biometric applications and tools. This first workshop sought to establish the concerns of scholars and practitioners from government departments and industry from EU states and the US. A deliberate focus on ‘trans-Atlantic’ views had been chosen because there is a cultural divide between the EU and Europe over the related but central questions of dealing with issues of data protection. This was a recurrent theme throughout the formal and informal sessions where differences and convergences were challenged repeatedly in different settings from simple passport controls to applications for health, migration, education and policing.

Data protection was robustly presented by discussed with Stefan Rodata MEP and Peter Schaar Chair of the EU Data Protection Group. Representatives from the US Homeland security office provided a US perspective. A member of a US police department explained the fallibility and strengths on the ground of finger print recognition which was contrasted with the uniqueness of iris identification. Hitachi presented hand recognition technology applications in civil domestic settings like the home.

The wide-ranging sessions divided into (i) on biometrics for border control and civil identification; (ii) biometrics for screening and surveillance; (iii) digital identities; and (iv) unique identifiers.

The security applications of biometric tools was discussed at some length both formally and informally late into the night. Angela Liberatore in session 2 did an excellent presentation of the European view of the security implications and dilemmas of balancing security and democracy in the EU. In session 1, Juliet Lodge introduced Challenge, and the concerns of WP Leeds workpackage - Transparency, accountability and credibility before discussing the ethical dilemmas of ejudicial cooperation in the context of a session on cross-border information sharing.

Much of the lively debate was on security applications of biometric tools. It was repeatedly stressed that biometric tools are no more than tools to enhance the verification and authentication of an individual’s identity. European participants seemed more exercised by data storage issues, accessibility, the EU principle of availability, and parliamentary accountability than did some others. The stimulating sessions were heavily focused on technological feasibilities, strengths and weaknesses. The history to such identifiers was provided and the philosophical dimension provided a historical context against which to view the current preoccupations and discourse. While the technological capabilities were explained and presented in formal sessions, the ensuing debate invariably returned to issues that are core concerns of Challenge.

There are clearly rich and important avenues for further research of an inter-disciplinary nature that present opportunities for cognate research to interested Challenge partners. The Leeds Challenge team would welcome the chance to explore this further within Challenge.