This is an update concerning the UN Today article titled “The UN Pension Fund adopts facial recognition technology: Key questions” (link below) by Elaine Fultz, dated 4 February 2021 posted yesterday.
I sent an email yesterday to Ms. Rosemarie McClean, Chief Executive of the Pension Administration, attaching the UN Today article for her information.
A few hours later, and to her credit, Ms. McClean wrote back to me to say that the UNJSPF’s web article (link below) on the launch of the digital CE system, had been revised to include answers to the questions in the UN Today article.
I responded to Ms. McClean by email today to thank her for her swift action in revising the web article. I also noted that while I recognize and appreciate that the web article now provides additional information on the questions in the UN Today article, I also believe there are information gaps.
First, here are excerpts from the responses in the revised web article to some of the questions in the UN Today article: (Go to the link below to read the entire response on each topic).
Coercion: “The paper-based form of the Certificate of Entitlement (CE) will still be available for those who do not want to adopt the Digital CE application.”
Security: “The biometric data used by the App are captured and stored only locally, on the users’ device. Therefore, users remain under full control of their data, at all times.”
Accuracy: “The Digital CE App uses an advanced facial recognition algorithm based on “learning” mechanisms that included data related to all ethnic groups.”
Efficiency: “The blockchain supporting the Digital CE does not involve the consumption of significant energy resources and/or extra costs, other than those typically associated with the support of ordinary ICT servers and applications.”
Here are the remaining questions that are, in my view, as yet unanswered in the revised web article:
Coercion: What assurances can the Fund provide that the aim is not to move eventually to a mandatory digital system, particularly in light of unequal access to technology as stated in the Fund’s revised web article, that “access to the mobile app stores for Android or iOS (iPhone and iPad) to install the app can be limited in specific countries”?
Security: While the revised web article states that “The biometric data used by the App are captured and stored only locally, on the users’ device”, are beneficiaries using the digital system at risk for having their biometric data stolen from their devices?
Accuracy: What proportion of the photograph data in developing the digital system was of women and people of color; what was the level of accuracy of facial identification in the pilot program; and what procedures are in place to protect beneficiaries in cases of misidentification?
Efficiency: Assuming that the Fund's information is accurate on the consumption of energy resources and environmental impact, what is the cost of the digital system and its required maintenance?
Note: While the UN Today article makes the point that "many UN retirees are not computer savvy or lack the latest technology" required to access the digital system, I meant to include the point in item 1 “Coercion”, that many retirees do not use electronic devices or the internet, and even those who have access and are familiar with digital technology have reported, since the launch of the new system, that they are hesitant to register for the above reasons, and/or are experiencing technical difficulties in attempting to register.
I’ll provide an update on whatever additional information Ms. McClean may provide.
https://untoday.org/pension-fund-adopts-facial-recognition/
Loraine Rickard-Martin
5 February 2021
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