Study

This seminar examines how biometric technologies—such as facial recognition, digital identity systems, and behavioral prediction algorithms—are reshaping governance, security frameworks, and civil liberties. Students will explore the technical foundations of these systems while analyzing the legal, ethical, and policy challenges they present across public and private sectors. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating technical understanding with legal doctrine and policy analysis. We investigate how different governance frameworks attempt to balance innovation, security, privacy, and equity when regulating technologies that capture, analyze, and act upon human biological and behavioral characteristics. Through case studies spanning national security, public services, criminal justice, and commercial applications, students will develop the analytical tools to craft governance solutions that address the unique challenges posed by biometric systems in democratic societies.