The Biometrics Institute has received funding from the Australian government to develop a Trust Mark programme that aims to boost consumer and public confidence in systems using biometric technology..BI says the funding will enable it to take the programme to the next stage. It conducted a feasibility study into the initative between February and June.Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive of the Biometrics Institute, wrote in a statement that the Australian government's involvement represents a “significant seal of approval” for the plan.”It confirms the high level of interest and support for this proposal, which shall give consumers confidence in the responsible use of an identity product or service”.Terry Aulich, Head of the Privacy Expert Group of the Biometrics Institute, said the next challenge for the body was to develop technical criteria for the Trust Mark.”A specially convened review panel will oversee and peer-review the criteria rigorously and independently. The review panel consists of seven industry experts drawn from the Institute's international membership,” he said.Senior staff from Lockstep Consulting, which worked in partnership on the study, also noted the demand for a mark.”We found that the biometrics market is ready for a new trust mark to help provide confidence that given biometrics solutions are privacy protective,” said Lockstep Managing Director Stephen Wilson.He added that privacy advocates have stressed that a trust mark can be counter-productive if it is too easy to obtain, biased by industry interests, or poorly policed.
Australia helps fund Biometrics Institute trust mark initiative
