Sens. Merkley, Sanders introduce legislation to limit corporate use of facial recognition
Senators Jeff Merkley (OR) and Bernie Sanders (VT) introduced the National Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2020 that would prohibit private companies from collecting biometric data — including eye scans, voiceprints, faceprints and fingerprints—without individuals’ written consent, and from profiting off of biometric data.
The legislation limits the ability of companies to collect, buy, sell, lease, trade, or retain individuals’ biometric information without specific written consent, and requires private companies to disclose to any inquiring individual the information the company has collected for that individual. The bill would allow individuals and State Attorneys General to bring lawsuits against companies that fail to comply.