Russia Planning National Biometric Database For Banking Next Year, Expanding Worldwide Trend
Russia is to start a biometric database for financial services starting next summer, the Central Bank of Russia said in a statement.
The system, although not mandatory, will extend access to banking by letting customers open accounts without having to visit a banking branch. This is all in an effort to “digitize” financial services. The regulator noted that data would only be stored with a person’s consent.
However, what the biometric database will include is worrying to say the least.
The biometric database will incorporate images of faces, voice samples and, eventually, irises and fingerprints.
The law will take effect six months after it’s passed. The database could also be expanded for use by microfinance organizations and government services, the central bank added.
Russia isn’t the only country planning to implement a biometric database. China has also turned its nation into George Orwell’s nightmare.
