How can we make biometrics work for humanitarian organizations? What programmes stand to benefit the most from their introduction? And what mitigation measures can we put in place to prevent misuse?
Building on the seventh Dialogue, we have invited experts from the humanitarian, technical and operational fields to discuss what the introduction of biometrics might mean for humanitarian programmes. We will focus in particular on the specific mitigation measures (both technical and policy-related) that humanitarians should implement to use biometrics as responsibly and as safely as possible.
The discussion is part of the September thematic month – Biometrics.
The series
The Digital Dilemmas Debates are a series of roundtable discussions between prominent experts and stakeholders from different sectors about the humanitarian digital transformation, its implications and the work ahead. Each month, they will explore a different type or trend in the technologies used to respond to various types of crisis, and offer reflections on what is coming next.
The Digital Dilemmas Debates are a component of the DigitHarium, which is part of the Humanitarian Data and Trust Initiative (HDTI).
Additional resources
Facilitating innovation, ensuring protection: the ICRC Biometrics Policy, by Ben Hayes and Massimo Marelli (12 min read)
Humanitarian experimentation, by Kristin Bergtora Sandvik, Katja Lindskov Jacobsen and Sean Martin McDonald (5 min read)
[VIDEO EXPLAINER] Biometrics (01:32)
[DISCUSSION] Digital Identity and Biometrics - Follow the Sun event (1:16:50)
The ICRC biometrics policy (2019)