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Suzanne Lockhart

M.A. Criminology thesisUniversity of Melbourne, 2005

Current: PhD candidateUniversity of S.AIdentity Fraud – Displacementeffects and diffusion of benefits.ARC/AUSTRAC project.

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Community Perceptions of Biometric Technology

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Human identification

Moved from a social context of belonging to a group or family where associates rely on peculiarities such as appearance, voice and shared knowledge.

To a more complex process based on economic necessity.

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Drivers for enhanced identity infrastructures

Terrorism – identity crimes Globalization of economic &

social life - transfer of information, goods, people and convergence of computing and communication technologies.

Australia: Whole-of-government approach to the integration of information systems, services, policies and programs.

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Australian context

Australian Government states:

“that it intends to keeppace with the applicationof biometric technology toimprove border protection,combat identity fraud, addresspassenger volume issues andmeet international obligations”

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Social responses

•Indication that biometrics will become more widespread.

•However there has been little consideration of how the community may respond to the technology.

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Biometric system threats

Technical threats – software and hardware issues. Ability of the system to deal with physiological rate of change, gender, ethnicity, cost (user perspectives), direct/indirect medical implications.

Human threats – Unauthorized users, accidental and deliberate misuse.

Physical threats – natural disaster, storm, water, humidity, dust, lighting,

Theoretical threats – algorithm vulnerability, enrolment threats, physical and technical threats, circumvention, spoofing and biometric theft.

Other technical – standards, data management, interoperability etc.

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Research aim – human factor issues

Identify the community perception of biometrics.

Identify and explore the variables which might influence the decision to adopt or reject biometric systems.

Applied diffusion of innovation theory (Rogers 1995).Diffusion research centers on the conditionswhich increase or decrease the likelihood that anew idea, product or practice will be adoptedby the members of a given culture.

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Diffusion theory states:

The decision to adopt or reject a new idea or innovationwill be influenced by:

receiver variables; social and personal characteristics, perceived need for the innovation etc;

relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, triability, observability;

time; and communication sources.

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Characteristics influencing perceptions of biometrics

Perceptions will change overtime and beinfluenced by:

1. Personality characteristics

2. Social issues

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1.Personality characteristics

Emotional status – influenced by phobias, drugs, alcohol, family, reasons for using the device (airports).

Psychological status of user – ability to understand and interact with the system.

Psychological dysfunction – psychological disorder, substance related, anxiety, dissociative disorder, impulsive control, reduced intellectual capacity, age.

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2. Social issues

Privacy – data sharing/mining, access, disclosure etc Function creep Religion Political stance Socio-economic status - education Usability of the system – effective, convenient, reward, intuitive,

signage Prior victimization – offender/victim Physical disability/health issues – wheel chair, arthritis, laryngitis,

injury. Environmental issues – climate, clothing, type of industry, access to

device Social impact – intimidation, technology experience

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Results

Identified that the degree of awareness and knowledgepotential users may have aboutbiometrics is directly influencedby:

personal, social and experiential characteristics;

a perceived need for the innovation;

social system variables; and communication behavior.

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Other points identified

Many were overwhelmed by using multiple passwords and PIN’s.

The level of knowledge about biometrics is low. Health and safety is a concern. The public would like more open debate and information about

biometrics. Majority are prepared to forgo some issues about privacy to

increase more secure authentication mechanisms. Fall back mechanism are required. Primary concerns relate to data sharing, data security and

privacy issues.

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Social implications of introducing identity crime solutions such as biometrics.

Make society less trusting

Change the modus operandi

Displacement effects Diffusion of benefits

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Thank you

to discuss any of these issuesplease contact

Suzanne LockhartCanberra

0419 545 638suzannelockhart@virtual.net.au