Author Archives: Brittany Fields

Brittany is a doctoral candidate in Science and Technology Studies (STS) at York University. She also holds a M.Sc. in Information Security & Digital Forensics. Her dissertation research investigates the impact that biometric identification technology has on individual identity.
3D-rendered human face with a web of data points that capture and map human facial features with precision, showcasing the intersection of technology and identity.

The Limits of Identity: How Race and Gender Constructs in Biometric Technology Narrow Who We Are

This article provides a brief look into the ways identity can be constrained with regard to biometric technology.  It discusses technological limitations where biometric identification systems may fail to represent a person’s full identity, including bias in recognition as well as the inability to capture complex and changing human characteristics.  It also touches on political dimensions, where legal systems and governments may place limits on how identity is recognized and documented, particularly in the case of gender recognition. (read more...)