Fighting Restrictive Regulation: Owing to increased media attention and public debate, issues associated with but peripheral to biometric identification can be controversial. Those issues include control of biometric templates and access to associated databases. Absent a concerted, factual educational campaign, which is the core of IBIA's mission, the legislative and regulatory response to these controversial issues may result in unreasonable constraints and restrictions that could threaten the growth and profitability of the biometric industry.

Conveying a Positive Message: Through a program of public education as well as direct advocacy, IBIA undertakes to convince opinion leaders, the public, and government officials that proven biometric technologies facilitate convenience, strengthen security, and enhance productivity.

Gaining Government Approval for Biometric Applications: Without official approval or support, many potential end-user industries and government agencies are reluctant to buy or use biometric products. Accordingly, IBIA undertakes to persuade governments, in the U.S. and abroad, to explicitly approve and encourage and sanction the use of biometrics in public and private applications alike.

Obtaining Tax Incentives and Government Funding: When appropriate, IBIA advocates tax incentives, grants, and subsidies routinely available to other high-tech industries in order to help fund biometric research, development, experimentation, and applications.

Promoting Freer Trade Worldwide: The first international Information Technology Agreement (ITA) is eliminating tariffs worldwide on selected information technology products. IBIA advocates expansion of the ITA to include biometric products, because tariff reductions result in lower costs to end-users and enhance the growth and deployment of biometrics.

Establishing an Agenda for the Development and Management of International Biometric Standards: Standard-setting is a crucial, fundamental task. In the hands of overly-restrictive or protectionist governments, standard-setting can severely limit biometric applications in the name of privacy, or be manipulated to protect domestic biometric manufacturers at the expense of foreign biometric manufacturers. Advocating open-source standards and an open-source standard-setting process will foster conditions that encourage growth of the industry domestically and internationally. Accordingly, IBIA is helping to establish the agenda for the development and management of biometric standards, but does not conduct standard-setting activities on its own.

Methods of Issue Monitoring and Governmental Advocacy

Monitoring: IBIA publishes analyses of issues and has created an early warning system for members in regard to pertinent legislation, regulations, and litigation. IBIA reports to the IBIA membership and the public by means of the popular twice-monthly online newsletter, Biometrics Advocacy Report.

Advocacy: Through testimony and direct advocacy, IBIA supports beneficial legislation and regulations and opposes hostile legislation and regulations.

Alliance-Building: IBIA forms coalitions with like-minded associations that share common interests in order to increase the effectiveness of advocacy.

"Grass-Roots" Advocacy: IBIA advises member companies about how best to conduct "grass-roots" advocacy in order to persuade their own legislators and government officials to support or oppose pertinent pending legislation and regulations.

Methods of Issue Monitoring and Governmental Advocacy

Monitoring: IBIA publishes analyses of issues and has created an early warning system for members in regard to pertinent legislation, regulations, and litigation. IBIA reports to the IBIA membership and the public by means of the popular twice-monthly online newsletter, Biometrics Advocacy Report.

Advocacy: Through testimony and direct advocacy, IBIA supports beneficial legislation and regulations and opposes hostile legislation and regulations.

Alliance-Building: IBIA forms coalitions with like-minded associations that share common interests in order to increase the effectiveness of advocacy.

"Grass-Roots" Advocacy: IBIA advises member companies about how best to conduct "grass-roots" advocacy in order to persuade their own legislators and government officials to support or oppose pertinent pending legislation and regulations.

Copyright © 1998-2005 by the International Biometric Industry Association (IBIA)