Advancements in the field of genetics and biometrics comes at a cost that few are willing to acknowledge. For years, biometrics experts and software designers have been revolutionizing the ways in which everyday technology utilizes our personal information. But where should the line be drawn? Devices scan faces, store location information, and are trusted with critical information. This analysis will address the challenges of 21st century genetics and biometrics in the areas of privacy and power. The advancement of genetic and biomedical technology brings with it the infringement of fundamental privacy rights and the possible corruption of the biometric data collected.
The field of biometrics often deals with the security surrounding our personal devices such as phones, laptops, and computers. In recent years, these security devices have been made more advanced through systems such as Touch ID, facial recognition, and methods that collect an individual’s biological data. Upon deeper inspection, a troubling issue arises concerning the location where this data is stored, and more importantly, who can see and manipulate this data. Privacy rights are crucial for an individual’s personal freedom, and there are fraudulent people who would use the vast database of biometric data to access a number of seemingly secure devices. Customers who use some form of biometric data for their phone are inadvertently sending their personal information to certain companies without knowing who is looking at it. According to the Slate article “What’s in Face ID?”, “in the present, too, it’s easier to classify, search, and transfer enormous troves of biometric data—and it’s not always clear what gets shared between personal devices, corporations, and local, state, and federal government agencies” (Ragas). The potential for abuse of user’s personal data by corrupt companies or the government is too large to ignore. This is not only a problem for biometric data, but also genetic data. Those who send their genetic data to companies, such as 23andMe, for testing, are often under the impression that this information will be secure.
The reality is that this data can be shared with third parties who may use the information for malicious reasons. The Forbes article “The Privacy Delusions of Genetic Testing” illustrates this concern, stating “Imagine a world where people can have their biology held against them. Such abuses represent a profound violation of privacy. That’s the risk inherent in current genetic-testing practices” (Pitts). Statistics have expanded from basic information regarding age and marital status to in depth biological data as explained in “Biopower and the Avalanche of Printed Numbers” by Ian Hacking. As the complexity of information increases so do the risks for the citizens and the power held by those in charge. While there are certainly large benefits to both biometrics and genetic information, it is crucial that those who decide to use these technologies understand that the information is not necessarily secure and may be abused by fraudulent individuals within companies or the government.
“The Privacy Delusions of Genetic Testing” by Peter Pitts
“Biopower and the Avalanche of Printed Numbers” by Ian Hacking
“What’s in a Face Id” by Jose Ragas