The Biometrics Institute issued new privacy guidelines for the collection and safeguarding of biometric data, such as fingerprints and iris scans. The guidelines contain 16 principles that should be considered when collecting and using biometric data, including proportionality, informed consent, protection of the data, purpose, retention and the importance of Privacy Impact Assessments.

Chief Executive of the Biometrics Institute, Isabelle Moeller, said, “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. It is the public’s assurance that the biometric managers have followed best practice privacy principles when designing, implementing and managing biometric based projects.” These guidelines will be distributed to more than 190 member organizations in 24 countries.