Data Protection and Biometric Data: European Union Legislation

Abstract

Since 1995, with the Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, the European Union has established minimum rules concerning the protection of personal data. It tried to reach equilibrium between the protection of fundamental rights of the individuals and the demands of security, justice and economy. However, the rapid technological developments experienced since then brought to surface a completely different state of affairs. The aim of this chapter is to appraise the significance of the new legislative path taken by the European Union insofar biometric data is concerned.