Privacy Challenges in Refugee Movement during Conflict: Ethical, Legal, and Technological Perspectives

Amarachi Utah, Ericsson Inc

As conflict-driven population movements escalate, sophisticated biometric identification and digital tracking systems are increasingly used to collect and manage personal data, with the goal to provide aid and enhance the security of refugee populations. However, these same systems raise significant personal data privacy, and population policy concerns, because they often expose vulnerable populations to potential data misuse, and surveillance by state and non-state actors. This research explores the ethical, legal, and technological challenges related to personal data privacy in conflict-induced refugee migration contexts. It examines existing legal frameworks that govern refugee rights and data protection, assessing their effectiveness in safeguarding privacy during humanitarian crises. It also evaluates the role of emerging technologies, such as biometric systems and digital platforms, in refugee management, identifying the risks posed to individual privacy. Through an in-depth examination of demographic data, and legal analysis, this research offers insights into the privacy vulnerabilities faced by refugees, highlighting the long-term implications for human rights and social reintegration globe. The study ultimately proposes policy recommendations and ethical guidelines for humanitarian organizations, governments, and technology developers that balance the need for data collection with protection of refugee privacy, ensuring that human dignity is preserved even in times of conflict.

Keywords: Migrant Populations and Refugees, International Migration, Population Policies, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

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