An Introductory Guide on Biometrics has been released by IOM for personnel working in humanitarian settings who are dealing with the appropriate use or assessment of biometric technologies. Stephan Hofstetter, the founder of SECOIA, collaborated with two other authors on this 73 page guide, which is now accessible for public download.
Biometric technologies, simply referred to as “biometrics”, have a broad reputation as a tool for state security, and are widely considered to be a vital part of migration management. Biometrics can streamline and modernize border management processes whereby governments and partner agencies can, for example, carry out verification
when issuing identity documents, facilitate and expedite regular and safe cross-border mobility, enhance the digitization and automation of application processes, and play a critical role in border security. Biometrics are increasingly employed as a tool for identity management, which can impact access to and participation in civic and consumer life from the time a person is very young. In other migration contexts such as crisis and displacement, biometrics can be used in the registration of displaced persons and specific groups of vulnerable migrants, including for the distribution of humanitarian assistance.
The goal of this Biometrics Manual
The goal of this Biometrics Manual is to provide introductory operational guidance on the recording, matching, and evaluating of biometric data of populations as they move across and within borders, with a particular focus on the technology analysing physical traits: fingerprints, facial recognition and iris scans. While this Manual is primarily directed at IOM’s programme managers and project developers who may support the use of biometric
technology in the management of borders and legal identity, it can also serve as a guiding resource for Member States working in this field. Along with a background on the historic development of biometrics and its earlier motivations, the manual elaborates on the science of using various biometrics as well as their quality and reliability, vulnerability to attack, the limitations that inspired the use of “multi-modal” biometrics.
Most importantly, the Manual also informs relevant stakeholders of the importance of adhering to minimum data protection standards when implementing any project with a biometric component. For IOM staff, compliance with the IOM Data Protection Legal Framework is mandatory. For external stakeholders, compliance with relevant national and regional laws on data protection is required. This Manual also provides insight into the
essential discourse on the rights of individuals and the ethical and human rights principles which must steer the use of biometrics. This is guided by standard human rights frameworks, risk analyses, and IOM’s commitment to responsible personal data protection, as outlined in institutional and broader United Nations policies referenced throughout.
The Manual highlights not only existing concerns about vulnerabilities, threats and potential discriminatory application of biometrics, but promotes the examination of new risks or potential injustices as they may be identified. This is to equip business line managers of biometric activities to act appropriately on these emerging risks such that biometrics are used only when necessary – when no less invasive alternative means to achieve the purpose of processing are available – and only for purposes of orderly migration management and border governance with objectives of sound identity management, accessibility, and just treatment of migrants.
Download the guide as pdf from here: Introduction to Biometrics (22.3MB)
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