BIOMETRIC PRIVACY
CD: Could you provide an overview of how US businesses are applying biometric technologies? What are some of the common uses you are seeing?
Rosenthal: US businesses are rapidly implementing biometric technologies across a wide array of industries. We often see biometric technologies – most commonly fingerprint scanning – used by employers to track employee time and attendance in lieu of a badge or pin number system. In the consumer sector, retailers in the areas of personal electronics, cosmetics, social media and personal apparel have all been targeted for biometric class actions. In other sectors, the healthcare industry is applying biometric technology for virtual patient care, check-in procedures, and for healthcare employee access to medication and pharmaceuticals. Other businesses using biometrics include the travel industry, including airline and cruise ships, online and in-person casino gaming, and sports and entertainment.
Denvil: The core uses of biometrics continue to be authentication and identification. Biometrics can be a useful, secure factor in provisioning access to online accounts or other sensitive resources. Biometrics can recognise individuals so that features and systems can be set to individual preferences. Biometrics can also help companies address risk and comply with regulatory obligations by helping confirm the authenticity of identity documents.
Oct-Dec 2022 issue
Blank Rome LLP
Hogan Lovells US LLP