RIGHT TO IDENTITY AND BIOMETRIC DATA PROTECTION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

The speeding up of biometers technologies like fingerprinting, facial recognition, irises scan and DNA profile have essentially revolutionized the manner in which the digital age verifies and regulates personal identity establishment. These technologies commit a grave threat to the right to identity, privacy, and human dignity even though they have the promise of efficiency, improved security, and convenience. The rights to identity, which is not always explicitly stated, is inseparably connected with the rights to life and individual liberty, and has been more and more acknowledged under constitutional and international human rights law.
This paper discusses the idea of the right to identity with regard to the biometric data collection and analyses the legal and moral questions that come about subsequent to the extensive application of biometric systems by both the State and the individuals. Inherently, biometric data cannot be replaced, and it is quite permanent and special, so the misuse or its violation is especially detrimental. The paper presents some of the issues associated with mass surveillance, data leaks, feature creep, error of exclusion and lack of informed consent, particularly on vulnerable and marginalised groups