The Cambertech survey compares the amount of data collected and how it was then used. He then gave each country a score of 1 to 31; The lower the score, the worse.
The results of the survey show an ugly picture of biometric “sniffing” status from individual countries of the world. The most important discoveries can be summarized as follows:
- Many countries collect biometric data from travelers, often by visa or upon arrival at the airport.
- Most countries use biometric for internet banking.
- Biometric data is considered important information in most countries, but their collection is often poorly controlled.
- Facial recognition by CCTV is gradually being implemented in many countries, or at least tested.
- EU countries are generally in the best position with high scores; The main factor is the safety of employees in the workplace due to GDP.
- Some countries with better scores do not perform well due to well-chosen rules, but because they are less technologically advanced countries.
Now for the results. Which countries did worse?
China has lost sovereignty, not surprisingly. Score 2 means that biometric information and misuse for state purposes is rampant and unavoidable anywhere in the country. The country does not have a biometric election system (which China does not need much) and considers passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan to visit the country without a visa for up to 15 days.
In second place is Costa Rica. Banana Republic has a comprehensive and significant collection of biometric information and does not in any way protect its citizens or foreigners, so it has only 3 points. For one, the implementation of facial recognition is only just beginning in the country (which could be even worse) and a small number of visitors from abroad can enter without a visa. Costa Rica manages two large biometric databases, which have full access to the police.
Iran is in third place. The 5-point Islamic Republic suffers from widespread, aggressive biometric operations without adequate protection for its own people and foreign travelers.
The fourth place is already interesting and has many countries that use biometrics a lot without the appropriate security elements. Among them we see Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Uganda and the United States which is really a warning.
U.S. The United States has underdeveloped laws that do not adequately protect citizens, and the use of facial recognition on cameras is widespread and popular, as are workplace biometrics and visa fingerprints. We see a similar picture in all other countries with the same number of 6 points.
Which is better?
On the other side of the spectrum, we see underdeveloped countries and countries with comprehensive laws. Turkmenistan ranks first with 25 places, but primarily the use of technology in the country is technically low. However, it is undeniable and perhaps a little surprising that the country has comprehensive laws to protect the biometric data of residents, foreigners and employees.
In second place is Ethiopia, whose score of 22 points is the result of Turkmenistan’s victory. Moreover, unlike in Turkmenistan the law in the country is not adequate. Ethiopia is followed by Azerbaijan and Bahrain with 20 points. Azerbaijan does not implement facial recognition on CCTV cameras and has the necessary laws, but it collects biometric data by visa applicants. Bahrain uses face recognition cameras, but has adequate laws.
In fourth place we see European countries with 21 points, namely Portugal and Ireland. Countries with the necessary legal protection collect limited biometrics, and Portugal deletes the collected data. Biometrics collection is widely used in countries only for foreigners interested in visa – this is a more limited thanks to Schengen.
Overall, the Czech Republic is close by 20 points to countries like Portugal and Ireland by 16 points, or Poland and the United Kingdom by 17 points. The Czech Republic has primarily visas, unrestricted banks, and relatively few points deducted for biometrics. Significant access to biometric databases by police (at least they have adequate security) and gaps in the law. In contrast, the low rate of CCTV cameras with face recognition, good security of staff and a small, secure biometric database is rated favorably.
By direct comparison, Chekhov is better than most developed countries in the world, while Germany, Austria, France, Italy and Spain are worse. Surprisingly, they are not exactly at the level of the Nordic countries – Finland and Sweden scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, and Norway 17. In similar surveys, people in the North of technology perform better, but the biometrics world does not like them either. However, compared to other parts of the world, they are relatively good all over Europe.