Page 42 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

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REGIONAL NEWS

Bahrain Among Top Countries Protecting Biometric Data

Bahrain is among the top five countries globally for protecting out where biometrics are being taken, what they’re being taken
biometric data, according to a new research. Bahrain scored for, and how they’re being stored, while also exploring the latest
20/31 making it the third most considered in terms of collection, biometric updates amid the ongoing pandemic. There is huge
storage and use of biometric data. Turkmenistan with a score of scope for biometric data collection, so it has identified eight key
25/31 tops the list, while China, scoring 2/31 is the worst country areas that apply to most countries (so as to offer a fair country-
for biometric data collection and use, said the Comparitech by-country comparison and to ensure the data is available). Each
survey. The lower the score, the more biometric data is collected country has been scored out of 31, with low scores indicating
and used. The countries that received the lowest scores overall extensive and invasive use of biometrics and/or surveillance and
showed a lack of regard for the privacy of people’s biometric a high score demonstrating better restrictions and regulations
data. Through the collection, use, and storage of biometric data, regarding biometric use and surveillance. Then, to see how
these countries use biometrics to a severe and invasive extent, current biometric use for Covid-19 purposes affects a country’s
it said. From passport photos to accessing bank accounts with score, it has deducted a point for each area biometrics have been
fingerprints, the use of biometrics is growing at an exponential introduced as an emergency control measure (six areas in total).
rate. And while using your fingerprint may be easier than typing in While China topping the list perhaps doesn’t come as too much of
a password, just how far is too far when it comes to biometric use, a surprise, residents of (and travelers to) other countries may be
and what’s happening to your biometric data once it’s collected, surprised and concerned at the extent of biometric information
especially where governments are concerned? Comparitech that is being collected on them and what is happening to it
updated its biometric data study to include 96 countries and found afterward, says Comparitech study.
Key findings:
• Many countries collect travelers’ biometric data, often through
visas or biometric checks at airports
• The vast majority of countries use biometrics for bank
accounts, e.g. fingerprints to access online app data and/or to
confirm identities within the banks themselves
• Despite many countries recognising biometric data as
sensitive, increased biometric use is widely accepted
• Facial recognition CCTV is being implemented in a large
number of countries or at least being tested
• EU countries scored better overall than non-EU countries due
to GDPR regulations protecting the use of biometrics in the
workplace (to some extent)
• Many of the top-scoring countries don’t necessarily receive
their high scores for “best practices” but because they are
developing nations that haven’t moved toward technology-
based solutions in certain areas.

Nepal Telecom Applies for Mobile Money License

Nepali Digital Payment Company, a joint reportedly confirmed that the company has Nepal’s telecoms regulator, the Nepal
venture created by state-owned telecoms implemented all the necessary technical Telecommunications Authority (NTA),
provider Nepal Telecom (NT) and Rastriya and legal infrastructure within the six- approved directives governing mobile
Banijya Bank, has applied to Nepal Rastra month timeframe agreed with the NRB in money services early last year, enabling
Bank (NRB) – Nepal’s central bank – July 2020. The bank will now monitor the users to make payments and transfers
for a license to operate a mobile money system before granting final approval for via a digital account linked to their mobile
service, reports Nepalitelecom.com. the service, which is expected to begin number.
NT managing director Dilli Adhikari has operating in late February or March.

42 JANUARY 2021