This paper discusses privacy-enhanced uses of biometrics, with a particular focus on the privacy and security advantages of Biometric Encryption (BE) over other uses of biometrics. The paper is intended to engage a broad audience to consider the merits of the Biometric Encryption approach to verifying identity, protecting privacy, and ensuring security. Our central message is that BE technology can help to overcome the prevailing zero-sum mentality, namely, that adding privacy to identification and information systems will necessarily weaken security and functionality. This paper explains how and why BE technology promises a win-win scenario for all stakeholders involved.

Reprinted with Permission from Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario