Biometric Data: Regime In India

Introduction

There has been an increasing discourse on ‘biometric data’ in the public domain without any real discussion on what it is. In its simplest form, biometric data is the data about a biological organism. Examples of biometric are facial images or iris scan or fingerprints. Since biometric data is related to human characteristics, which is capable of being used as an identification mechanism, defining the mechanisms and safeguards becomes important. The Indian courts have held that biometric data, by its very nature, brings together a variety of personal elements.

Various countries across the globe regulate the modes and mechanisms of handling biometric data, to ensure protection of a person’s intrinsic rights.