Biometrics and data protection: these data are derived from an Individual

Abstract

The special nature of the characteristics used in biometric systems can present privacy challenges that might not arise with traditional identification methods, such as paper documents, because these data are derived from an individual’s physical or behavioural features on the basis of a specific procedure, which is partly automated and yields a (reference) template. On account of their nature, these data require special precautions and the respect of the principles related with privacy and data protection.