Biometrics Institute publishes revised version of its Biometrics Privacy Guidelines
Sydney / London – 2 February 2016 - The Biometrics Institute has finalised the revised version of its Biometrics Privacy Guidelines on World Privacy Day (28 January 2016) and has now made it available to all its members.
"The Biometrics Privacy Guidelines have been designed by the Biometrics Institute to provide a guide for suppliers, end users, researchers, managers and purchasers of biometric systems,” says Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive of the Biometrics Institute, “it is the public’s assurance that the biometric managers have followed best practice privacy principles when designing, implementing and managing biometric based projects.”
The Guidelines are intended to be a guide across many different countries and jurisdictions. It takes into account that biometrics and information technologies do connect beyond national boundaries and across different fields as diverse as health records, border controls, retail, consumer based applications in the telecommunications industry, finance and banking and drivers’ licenses.
The Biometrics Privacy Guidelines contain sixteen principles addressing issues such as Respect for Client Privacy, Proportionality, Informed Consent, Protection of Biometric Data Collected, Purpose, Accountability, Sharing of biometric data, Transmission of Biometric Data Beyond National Boundaries and Employee Biometric Data Must be Protected amongst others.
The Biometrics Privacy Guidelines will be given to organisations joining the Biometrics Institute or renewing their membership to provide guidance for the implementation of biometric technologies. A review of the Guidlines is planned in 2 years’ time to keep it current.
One of the Biometrics Institute key drivers is to encourage the responsible use and development of biometrics and privacy protection.
The Biometrics Institute launched a Privacy Awareness Checklist (PAC) in 2010 to assist members in a quick an easy way to assess privacy impacts when using biometrics. It provides a snapshot in time of where the organisation sits in regards to privacy.
The Biometrics Institute has published a Top 10 Vulnerability Questions document in September 2015 and Biometric Vulnerability Checklist, all with the aim to provide information about best-practice to the industry.
The Biometrics Institute was established as an independent and international impartial not-for-profit organisation in 2001 and is now operating at an international level with offices in London and Sydney. It has over 190 member organisations. Its members cover users such as banks, airlines, governments and law enforcement authorities, a wide range of suppliers as well as research organisations.
It holds regular events to facilitate the dialogue around best-practice and responsible use of biometrics and a calendar of events can be found online.
For enquiries or feedback on the Guidelines please contact:
Isabelle Moeller | +44 20 7581 4827
Email: