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14
September
2018

Fundamental rights implications of storing biometric data in identity documents and residence cards

Borders and information systems
Asylum, migration and borders
Borders and information systems
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
This Opinion by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) aims to inform the European Parliament’s position concerning the legislative proposal for a Regulation on strengthening the security of identity cards of European Union (EU) citizens and of residence documents issued to EU citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement. It focuses on the processing of biometric data and complements the opinion published by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).
Downloads
11 September 2018
Fundamental rights implications of storing biometric data in identity documents and residence cards (530.16 KB)

Most points in this FRA Opinion relate to risks to fundamental rights which may result from the implementation of the regulation.

This opinion mainly focuses on the processing of biometric data in identity cards issued by EU Member States to their own nationals and residence cards issued to thirdcountry family members of EU nationals exercising free movement rights.

FRA hereby present six individual opinions addressing the following points:

  • Avoiding that biometrics are also stored in national databases;
  • Ensuring a fundamental rights compliant implementation;
  • Processing the minimum necessary biometric data;
  • Respecting human dignity when collecting biometric data;
  • Collecting biometric data from children;
  • Collecting biometric data from elderly and persons with disabilities.