Unobtrusive Authentication Using ACTIvity-Related and Soft BIOmetrics (ACTIBIO) is an EU Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) where new types of biometrics are combined with state-of-the-art unobtrusive technologies in order to enhance security in a wide spectrum of applications. The project aims to develop a modular, robust, multimodal biometrics security authentication and monitoring system, which uses a biodynamic physiological profile, unique for each individual, and advancements of the state of the art in unobtrusive behavioral and other biometrics, such as face, gait recognition, and seat-based anthropometrics. Several shortcomings of existing biometric recognition systems are addressed within this project, which have helped in improving existing sensors, in developing new algorithms, and in designing applications, towards creating new, unobtrusive, biometric authentication procedures in security-sensitive, Ambient Intelligence environments. This paper presents the concept of the ACTIBIO project and describes its unobtrusive authentication demonstrator in a real scenario by focusing on the vision-based biometric recognition modalities.

A. Drosou

D. Ioannidis

K. Moustakas

D. Tzovaras

Unobtrusive Behavioral and Activity-Related Multimodal Biometrics: The ACTIBIO Authentication Concept

The implementation of biometrics entails either the establishment of an identity or tracing a person&#39;s identity. Biometric passport data (e.g., irises, fingers, faces) can be used in order to verify a passenger&#39;s identity. The proposed Passenger Name Record (PNR) system contains all the information necessary to enable reservations to be processed and controlled by the booking and participating air carriers for each journey booked by or on behalf of any person. PNR data are related to travel movements, usually flights, and include passport data, name, address, telephone numbers, travel agent, credit card number, history of changes in the flight schedule, seat preferences, and other information. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, a new emergency political-law status of society was established: the continuous state of &#8220;war&#8221; against the so-called unlawful combatants of the &#8220;enemy&#8221;. Officially, the enemy is the terrorists, but the victims of the privacy invasions caused by the above new form of data processing are the civilians. The data processing based on biometrics is covered both by Directive 95/46 EC and Article 8 of the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (now the European Convention on Human Rights, &#8220;ECHR&#8221;). According to Article 2, Paragraph a of the above Directive, personal data shall mean any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person; an identifiable person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identification number or to one or more factors specific to his/her physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity.

G. Nouskalis

Biometrics, e-Identity, and the Balance between Security and Privacy: Case Study of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) System

Ancient Greek and 17th century English philosophy are not usually discussed along with the ethics of biometrics and data sharing. Academic ethics today, however, suffers from a lack of background in classical texts. We may discuss whether biometrics and data sharing are consistent with democracy, but if we do not know what democracy is, then we cannot know what actions are consistent with it. I shall discuss how and why democracies have restricted the rights of their citizens. I will give the most attention to two paradigms that have most influenced modern democratic thinking: 17th century English democracy and ancient Athens. I do not accept the dogma that the Athenians were obviously wrong to try and then to condemn Socrates. His death-loving doctrine could not but have weakened the will of the youth to work and fight for the good of Athens. I will try to understand the Athenians&#39; point of view and their need to defend their security. At the end, I will apply these lessons to biometrics and data sharing for security reasons.

Frank J. Leavitt

Democracies Restricting Democratic Rights: Some Classical Sources and Implications for Ethics of Biometrics

Margaret Tzaphlidou

Fotini-Niovi Pavlidou

Biometrics Applications: Technology, Ethics, and Health Hazards

This work deals with privacy implications and threats that can emerge with the large-scale use of electronic biometric documents, such the recently introduced electronic passport (e-Passport). A brief introduction to privacy and personal data protection is followed by a presentation of the technical characteristics of the e-Passport. The description includes the digital data structure, and the communication and reading mechanisms of the e-Passport, indicating the possible points and methods of attack.

Ioannis Vakalis

Privacy and Biometric Passports

Biometrics has become an emerging field of technology due to its intrinsic security features concerning the identification of individuals by means of measurable biological characteristics. Two of the most promising biometric modalities are iris and retina recognition, which primarily use nonionizing radiation in the infrared region. Illumination of the eye is achieved by infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs). Even if few LED sources are capable of causing direct eye damage as they emit incoherent light, there is a growing concern about the possible use of LED arrays that might pose a potential threat. Exposure to intense coherent infrared radiation has been proven to have significant effects on living tissues. The purpose of this study is to explore the biological effects arising from exposing the eye to near infrared radiation with reference to international legislation.

Nikolaos Kourkoumelis

Eye Safety Related to Near Infrared Radiation Exposure to Biometric Devices

Electronic information is challenging traditional views on property and privacy. The explosion of digital data, driven by novel web applications, social networking, and mobile devices makes data security and the protection of privacy increasingly difficult. Furthermore, biometric data and radiofrequency identification applications enable correlations that are able to trace our cultural, behavioral, and emotional states. The concept of privacy in the digital realm is transformed and emerges as one of the biggest risks facing today&#39;s Information Society. In this context, the European Union (EU) policy-making procedures strive to adapt to the pace of technological advancement. The EU needs to improve the existing legal frameworks for privacy and data protection. It needs to work towards a &#8220;privacy by education&#8221; approach for the empowerment of &#8220;privacy-literate&#8221; European digital citizens.

Ioannis A. Tsoukalas

Panagiotis D. Siozos

Privacy and Anonymity in the Information Society &#8211; Challenges for the European Union

After 9/11, states looked at transportation as if it was a matter of paying taxes: &#8220;We cannot make it fun, but we can make it efficient.&#8221; When traveling, we are asked to pass on data, give body samples, and pass through body scanners in the name of the general interest and in the name of our safety. Technology complements existing human checks and controls. Here we take a fresh look at the new security apparatuses and make transportation of humans more passenger-centered. Consumer protection law might help to complement the existing use of data protection law principles by citizen organizations. It should be possible to satisfy consumer needs, without forgetting the perspective of the citizen.

Paul De Hert

Rocco Bellanova

Mobility Should Be Fun. A Consumer (Law) Perspective on Border Check Technology

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The Scientific World Journal

Biometrics Applications: Technology, Ethics, and Health Hazards

Biometrics Applications: Technology, Ethics, and Health Hazards

Articles

Unobtrusive Behavioral and Activity-Related Multimodal Biometrics: The ACTIBIO Authentication Concept

Biometrics, e-Identity, and the Balance between Security and Privacy: Case Study of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) System

Democracies Restricting Democratic Rights: Some Classical Sources and Implications for Ethics of Biometrics

Biometrics Applications: Technology, Ethics, and Health Hazards

Privacy and Biometric Passports

Eye Safety Related to Near Infrared Radiation Exposure to Biometric Devices

Privacy and Anonymity in the Information Society – Challenges for the European Union

Mobility Should Be Fun. A Consumer (Law) Perspective on Border Check Technology