Introduction
Oman recently passed a royal decree, 21/2024, regulating the use
and protection of biometric data. This law represents a significant
step forward in protecting individuals' privacy and ensuring
the proper use of biometric information. In this article, we will
provide an overview of the key provisions of this law and its
implications for individuals and organizations in Oman.
Definition of Biometric
Biometrics refers to physical characteristics that are unique to
individuals and can be used to identify them. The law defines such
characteristics to include genetic fingerprint, fingerprint and
palm print, face scan, and iris scan. Although the law explicitly
mentions these examples, other physical characteristics unique to
individuals may also fall under this definition.
