Last modified: 2 Days, 4 Hours, 21 Minutes ago
This course explores the regulation of biometric data and profiling in the European Union and the United Kingdom, examining how the law seeks to balance technological innovation with the regulation and protection of fundamental rights. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the regulation of biometrics and profiling, with a particular focus on the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, and the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. The course will then examine some of the most common and innovative uses of these technologies and their ethical, social, and human rights implications, encouraging students to develop innovative legal approaches to address the challenges of the evolving digital landscape.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
|
||
Biometric technologies and profiling are transforming the way we live, work, and interact. From facial recognition and digital identity verification to personalised online services, these technologies offer significant benefits. At the same time, they raise complex legal and ethical questions relating to privacy, surveillance, identity, and algorithmic discrimination. As individuals increasingly share biometric data through smartphones, social media, and public spaces, understanding how this data is regulated has become more important than ever.
This course examines the development of biometric technologies alongside the evolution of the legal frameworks that govern them. Students will explore the role of law in protecting individuals while supporting technological innovation, considering both the opportunities and the risks presented by biometric systems and profiling.
The course begins with an in-depth study of biometrics and profiling under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, and the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Throughout the course, students will engage with current legal and policy debates surrounding emerging technologies and their regulation, focusing on the most common and innovative uses of these technologies and their ethical, social, and human rights implications.
Topics typically include:
• Facial recognition,
• Emotion recognition technologies,
• Digital avatars,
• Neurodata and neurotechnology, and
• Profiling and algorithmic bias.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 30 | Feedback Weeks | 33 | |
| Feedback |
3 hour Online Exam |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To develop a critical understanding of how regulators, legislators, and national courts approach the notion and regulation of biometric data and the enforcement of the respective rights and freedoms |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To gain knowledge and understanding of the regulation of all special categories of personal data, with emphasis on biometric data. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To develop a critical understanding of the approach of the European Court for Human Rights to the enforcement of the right to privacy. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | To analyse and evaluate the role of the legislators, regulators and courts in the exercise of the regulation of biometric data and the relation to the social and practical implications of the tech. |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective manner. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 38 | |
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided online within three weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | To develop a critical understanding of how regulators, legislators, and national courts approach the notion and regulation of biometric data and the enforcement of the respective rights and freedoms |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To gain knowledge and understanding of the regulation of all special categories of personal data, with emphasis on biometric data. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To develop a critical understanding of the approach of the European Court for Human Rights to the enforcement of the right to privacy. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | To analyse and evaluate the role of the legislators, regulators and courts in the exercise of the regulation of biometric data and the relation to the social and practical implications of the tech. |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective manner. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective manner. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To develop a critical understanding of the approach of the European Court for Human Rights to the enforcement of the right to privacy. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To gain knowledge and understanding of the regulation of all special categories of personal data, with emphasis on biometric data. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | To analyse and evaluate the role of the legislators, regulators and courts in the exercise of the regulation of biometric data and the relation to the social and practical implications of the tech. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | To develop a critical understanding of how regulators, legislators, and national courts approach the notion and regulation of biometric data and the enforcement of the respective rights and freedoms |
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.
