This interview is with Robert Tappan, Association Executive, International Biometrics & Identity Association who recently refuted claims from some US senators that biometrics used by the Transport Security Association are invasive, anti privacy-preserving, bias and contributing to the idea of “surveillance” with new technologies. The IBIA is an advocacy and educational organisation representing the biometrics and identity technologies industry.
The questions included:
- Why do you think the terms “surveillance” and “identity verification” have been conflated? What are the perceptions of facial biometrics? True or not?
- Is there evidence at all to suggest face verification technology is being used in the wrong way to invade privacy?
- Talking to some vendors, some say there are some inherent biases in the level of technology that are being mitigated. Do you disagree that bias in biometrics now exists?
- What are the differences between surveillance and verification that you suggested in your comments?
- How do these claims/ beliefs affect trust?
- Describe the level of progress in America with biometric deployments and are some unfounded beliefs that biometrics are ‘threatening our democracy’ derailing progress?
