Blood, Sweat and Tears: Biometric Data and Privacy in Select Jurisdictions

In an article for Bloomberg BNA’s World Data Protection Report, Gabriela Kennedy shared her thoughts on the rise of biometric technology in Asia and the privacy concerns surrounding it. While the benefits of biometrics are manifold, the collection of such sensitive data in itself makes the individual vulnerable to a different type of threat, namely misuse, theft, leakage of data or, sometimes, an erosion of human dignity. Unlike passwords, which can be reset when hacked, biometric features, when stolen, cannot be replaced.

While there are no specific laws in Asia Pacific regulating the collection and use of biometric data, more ‘blood, sweat and tears’ will have to be shed before a balance between greater security and safeguarding privacy can be achieved.