Archives / Vol. 25 No. 1 (2024) / Articles Research Paper on Right to Privacy and Biometrics Guidelines

The rapid evolution of biometric technologies has sparked significant concerns regarding the safeguarding of individuals' privacy rights. Biometrics, which entail utilizing distinct physical or behavioural traits for identification and authentication, have witnessed widespread adoption across various domains, including law enforcement, border security, and commercial sectors. While biometric systems promise heightened security and convenience, the potential for misuse or unauthorized access presents serious threats to personal privacy. This abstract explores the intricate relationship that exists between the use of biometric criteria and privacy rights. It looks into the moral and legal standards that govern the gathering, storing, and use of biometric data, highlighting how crucial it is to have robust privacy safeguards in place to prevent any infractions. The abstract looks at how difficult it is to strike a compromise between the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed by both domestic and international human rights treaties and the justifiable aims of safety and efficacy. Furthermore, the abstract underscores the importance of establishing comprehensive guidelines for biometrics that address key issues like data minimization, purpose limitation, data retention policies, and robust access control measures. These guidelines should cover the entire lifecycle of biometric data, including collection, storage, processing, and eventual disposal. Special emphasis is placed on transparency, accountability, and the involvement of independent oversight bodies to ensure adherence to privacy protection standards. By delving into these crucial aspects, the abstract seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the responsible utilization of biometric technologies while safeguarding the fundamental right to privacy, fostering public trust, and promoting ethical conduct in the digital era.