Limitations

What are the Limitatons

Although iris recognition technology is remarkably precise and dependable, it does have limitations.

  1. High cost and specialized equipment — Requires advanced imaging technology and infrastructure, which can limit accessibility (Daugman, 2024).
  2. Accessibility challenges — Users must look directly into a scanner, which may be difficult for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities.
  3. Sensitive to environmental conditions — Lighting, shadows, reflections, and distance can reduce scan accuracy.
  4. Technical challenges in capturing the iris —
    1. The iris is a small target (about 1 cm), making it difficult to capture from a distance (Daugman, 2007).
    2. It is constantly moving and located behind a curved, reflective surface.
    3. Eyelashes, eyelids, contact lenses, and reflections can obstruct the image.
    4. The iris can change shape slightly as the pupil expands or contracts (Daugman, 2024).
  5. User cooperation required — Accurate scans depend on the subject remaining still and properly positioned.
  6. Privacy and ethical concerns — The use of biometric data raises concerns about surveillance, misuse, and data security (Backman, 2019).
  7. Not universally practical — Less effective in uncontrolled or fast-moving environments (Daugman, 2007).
  8. Not perfect despite high accuracy — While accuracy rates can be very high, there is still a small risk of errors or false matches (Daugman, 2024).

Privacy Concerns?

  • Advancements in technology have made it possible to collect and use many types of biometric information, such as fingerprints, facial recognition and iris patterns  (Backman, 2019). 
  • Biometric data is considered highly effective for identification because it is unique, permanent, and cannot be lost or forgotten like passwords (Backman, 2019). However, these same qualities also raise serious privacy concerns, as biometric information is sensitive and difficult to replace if it is stolen or misused.
  • In Canada, laws such as the Privacy Act regulate how biometric data is collected and stored, but there are ongoing discussions about strengthening protections to ensure this information is properly safeguarded (Backman, 2019).