Biometric Data and Privacy
How facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and other biometric technologies threaten privacy and civil liberties.
The Biometric Revolution
Biometric data, measurements of physical characteristics like fingerprints, facial geometry, iris patterns, gait, and even voice, has become central to identity verification, law enforcement, and commercial services. Over a billion people are enrolled in India's Aadhaar biometric ID system. China uses facial recognition for everything from subway entry to social credit scoring. Airports, banks, and smartphones worldwide use biometric authentication.
What makes biometric data uniquely sensitive is that it cannot be changed. If your password is stolen, you create a new one. If your credit card is compromised, you get a replacement. But if your fingerprint data or facial scan is breached, you cannot get new fingers or a new face. Biometric data is permanent, which means biometric breaches are permanent. The 2019 breach of Biostar 2, a security platform used by banks and governments, exposed the fingerprints and facial recognition data of over one million people.
