FB pixel

Red Cross adopts new biometric data policy

 

last-mile-biometric-identification-data-collection

Following a significant increase in the use of biometrics in different frameworks such as forensics, family link rebuilding or digital ID for remote and low-connectivity environments to improve humanitarian aid delivery, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has adopted a new Biometrics Policy to ensure the ethical use of biometric technology and to focus on data protection roadblocks, the humanitarian organization announced.

A top issue the ICRC has is how to handle biometric data for beneficiaries and affected populations who could be put at risk if it is disclosed or used for purposes it was not collected for. The organization recognizes biometric data as sensitive personal data, and says protecting the personal data of its beneficiaries in necessary for the agency to preserve its neutrality, impartiality, independence, and status as an exclusively humanitarian organization.

The “Policy on the Processing of Biometric Data by the ICRC” document commits the organization to a regular review to keep up with changing technology and data protection norms. It sets out criteria for the legitimate basis of biometric data collection, purposes it can be used for, and the need for data minimization and Data Protection Impact Assessments. It also establishes five conditions which must all be met for any biometric data to be shared with any government or authority, including permission from the data subject.

In line with the ICRC Rules on Personal Data Protection, if beneficiaries do not want to provide their data, the ICRC will not make it mandatory.

The Policy on the Processing of Biometric Data was ratified in August 2019.

Article Topics

 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 

Latest Biometrics News

 

Biometric identity verification gets caught up in great expectations and politics

The next generation of biometric identity verification collides with the politics of digital identity in the most-read articles of the…

 

Todd Morris named NEC NSS President as Dr. Kathleen Kiernan retires

Todd Morris is the new President of NEC National Security Systems (NEC NSS). Morris succeeds Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, who is retiring…

 

ISO’s mDL standard can’t guarantee issuer trustworthiness

The fear that the server retrieval capability supported by the ISO/IEC 18013 standard for mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) could be…

 

One app, two app, three app, four: DECTA study shows users have ‘wallet fatigue’

While some see the concept of a “15-minute city” as sinister, advocates say they just don’t want to go very…

 

Stop ghost students stealing college financial aid with biometric liveness

The Associated Press recently documented a vast and fast-growing fraud on the U.S. education system in which scammers use AI…

 

Russia launching digital ID ‘super-app’ inspired by Chinese WeChat

Russia is introducing a new digital identity “super-app” that will combine messaging, government and private services, e-signatures and digital IDs….

Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Biometric Market Analysis

DIGITAL ID for ALL NEWS

Featured Company

ID for ALL FEATURE REPORTS

BIOMETRICS WHITE PAPERS

BIOMETRICS EVENTS

EXPLAINING BIOMETRICS