The IQAC organised an international webinar for Faculty on "The Rise of Biometric Surveillance by States and by Corporations" on 29.6.24. The resource person for the session was Prof Dr. Diogo Magalhaes, Assistant Dean for International and Graduate Programs, and Assistant Teaching Professor of Law at Seattle University School of Law. In his address Prof Magalhaes briefed faculty on the various advancements in technology that have enabled the widespread adoption of biometric data collection, ranging from facial recognition to fingerprint scanning and beyond.

The resource person reiterated that while these technologies offer potential benefits in security and efficiency, they also raise significant concerns regarding privacy, civil liberties, and the ethical implications of ubiquitous surveillance. Considering the implications that it holds for all we must revisit the debate keeping in perspective our rights as individuals and the responsibilities of institutions and corporations in safeguarding privacy.

At the end of his address Prof Magalhaes encouraged the faculty to engage with more thoughts, questions, and ideas on how we can explore this issue together as a community.