INTRODUCTION:
Biometric identifiers such as digital fingerprints, retinal scans, facial characteristics, gait, and vocal patterns are distinctive to each and every person and are considered more reliable and capable than the traditional token-based or knowledge-based technologies in differentiating between an authorized and a fraudulent person. This has prompted the use of biometrics for non-criminal governmental and commercial applications including immigration systems, airport security systems, employee time recording, social security entitlement, election management, access to healthcare records, banking transactions, national identification systems, and driver’s licensing programs.

The motivations behind the introduction of biometric technologies differ per country and context. Some believe that the technology will bring convenience, efficiency, and improved security. Others think that the technology will improve human development. An example of this is the Universal Identification (UID) program in India which should make it possible for the countries’ poor to prove that they are entitled to government welfare schemes. The program is seen as the largest social inclusion project in history making the Indian state more transparent and accountable to its citizens. However, opponents worry about abusive surveillance, particularly of political, ethnic, or religious minorities and argue that the technology is an infringement on human rights and freedom.

OBJECTIVE OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE:
Biometric systems are maturing, becoming increasingly more pervasive and widely deployed. Because biometric technologies are based on measurements of physiological or behavioural characteristics of the human body and the collection and storage of personal data, many questions are raised, which relate to the protection of individual values such as privacy, autonomy, bodily integrity, dignity, equity and personal liberty. The ethical concerns regarding this emerging technology need to be acknowledged and brought into the public discourse. The main objective of this special issue is to provide a platform to stimulate a discussion on biometrics use and its cultural, moral, and social ramifications.

RECOMMENDED TOPICS:
This special issue calls for original papers describing societal advantages or disadvantages of biometrics, and the ethical implications of the latest developments of biometric technology and its applications. We especially encourage empirical studies. Topics of interests include, but are not limited to:
- Public attitudes toward biometric technology:
o Privacy concerns
o Trust issues
o Religious objections to the use of biometrics
o Cultural perspectives
o The effects of non-participation
- Issues surrounding the centralization of biometric identification information:
o Data protection
o Security
o Informed consent
- Misuse or compromise of biometric data:
o Identity theft
o Function creep
o Covert surveillance/tracking
o Proportionality and appropriateness of biometric solutions
- Physical intrusiveness of the technology:
o Integrity of the human body
o Risk to health
o Recognition of medical conditions
o Stigmatization
- Case studies on various biometric technologies (e.g. facial recognition in smart CCTV systems in public places, fingerprinting of children in schools, biometrics for automated border control, biometric voter registration (BVR) systems to combat voter fraud)

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit papers for this special theme issue Social and Ethical Implications of Biometric Technology on or before November 1, 2013. All submissions must be original and may not be under review by another publication. INTERESTED AUTHORS SHOULD CONSULT THE JOURNAL’S GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS at http://www.igi-global.com/Files/AuthorEditor/guidelinessubmission.pdf. All submitted papers will be reviewed on a double-blind, peer review basis. Papers must follow APA style for reference citations.

ABOUT THE JOURNAL
Information and communication technologies are directly influencing the way human beings are engaging themselves in their routine activities. The governance including socio-economic environment needs a catalyst for social change for human development. Currently, technologies are required to play the role of a catalyst to bring this social change for human development. The International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development (IJICTHD) will compile theoretical and empirical works that significantly contribute to the still unexplored field of how ICTs can make a difference in the lives of human beings and contribute to human development. This journal is an official publication of the Information Resources Management Association www.igi-global.com/IJICTHD

Editors-in-Chief: Dr Susheel Chhabra and Dr Hakikur Rahman
Published: Quarterly (both in Print and Electronic form)

All submissions should be directed to the attention of:
Dr Anne-Marie Oostveen
Guest Editor
International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development
E-mail: anne-marie.oostveen@oii.ox.ac.uk