Journal Abstract

Data requirements are evolving in the development industry as data about deprived and vulnerable people assists development agencies in locating people in dire need of assistance and services. The main objective of this paper was to explore how biometric data sources are used to perform humanitarian actions for vulnerable populations in Bangladesh. This study followed a qualitative approach where content analysis was conducted from secondary data sources. The content analysis identified that biometric data contributes to protecting vulnerable groups, strengthening statistical databases, decreasing aid fraud, and ensuring accountability of humanitarian projects. Despite advantages, biometric data creates risks by affecting privacy, exclusion, reusability and data sharing, weak data protection provisions, and high data management costs. Application of legal and technical safeguards will be an obligation for the concerned authorities of biometric big data to serve the genuine objective of developing the vulnerable group. Conversely, misuse of biometric big data and developed technologies will further deteriorate the conditions of vulnerable people and communities.