Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (CoE) The need for a global consideration of human rights implications of biometrics. Rapporteur for opinion: Mr Wodarg (see Doc. 11068)
In the aftermath of the events of 11 September 2001, the issue of security, and consequently that of the identification and verification of individuals, has become a priority at global level. The use of biometrics is becoming more and more frequent. The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights is increasingly concerned about the rapid and uncontrolled development of biometric technologies. It stresses the need to strike an appropriate balance between security and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the right to privacy. Given that at European level the legal framework regarding the use of biometric data remains vague, Council of Europe member states should take further measures to improve it. In particular, they should adopt specific legislation in this area, produce a standardised definition of “biometric data”, put in place supervisory bodies and promote multidisciplinary research. The Committee of Ministers could, amongst other things, revise the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data in order to adapt it to the challenges stemming from the development of biometric technologies.
Publication type:
project report
Publication language:
English
Publication date:
2015
Publication URL:
http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/AdoptedText/ta11/EREC1960.htm
Institute:
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) (PACE)
Country:
EU
Project:
Human rights implications of biometrics (PACE)

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