New York City's New Biometrics Privacy Law Takes Effect
A new biometrics privacy ordinance has taken effect across New York City, putting new limits on what businesses can do with the biometric data they collect on their customers. From Friday, businesses that collect biometric information -- most commonly in the form of facial recognition and fingerprints -- are required to conspicuously post notices and signs to customers at their doors explaining how their data will be collected. The ordinance applies to a wide range of businesses -- retailers, stores, restaurants and theaters, to name a few -- which are also barred from selling, sharing or otherwise profiting from the biometric information that they collect.
The move will give New Yorkers -- and its millions of visitors each year -- greater protections over how their biometric data is collected and used, while also serving to dissuade businesses from using technology that critics say is discriminatory and often doesn't work. Businesses can face stiff penalties for violating the law, but can escape fines if they fix the violation quickly. The law is by no means perfect, as none of these laws ever are. For one, it doesn't apply to government agencies, including the police. Of the businesses that the ordinance does cover, it exempts employees of those businesses, such as those required to clock in and out of work with a fingerprint. And the definition of what counts as a biometric will likely face challenges that could expand or narrow what is covered.
A new biometrics privacy ordinance has taken effect across New York City, putting new limits on what businesses can do with the biometric data they collect on their customers. From Friday, businesses that collect biometric information -- most commonly in the form of facial recognition and fingerprints -- are required to conspicuously post notices and signs to customers at their doors explaining how their data will be collected. The ordinance applies to a wide range of businesses -- retailers, stores, restaurants and theaters, to name a few -- which are also barred from selling, sharing or otherwise profiting from the biometric information that they collect.
The move will give New Yorkers -- and its millions of visitors each year -- greater protections over how their biometric data is collected and used, while also serving to dissuade businesses from using technology that critics say is discriminatory and often doesn't work. Businesses can face stiff penalties for violating the law, but can escape fines if they fix the violation quickly. The law is by no means perfect, as none of these laws ever are. For one, it doesn't apply to government agencies, including the police. Of the businesses that the ordinance does cover, it exempts employees of those businesses, such as those required to clock in and out of work with a fingerprint. And the definition of what counts as a biometric will likely face challenges that could expand or narrow what is covered.