Cybersecurity

Biometric Data Breach Could Link Your Face to Illegal Activities

  • Cybercriminals may be able to create sophisticated deepfakes
  • Databases tie personal details to identifying features
A CCTV camera in Pancras Square near Kings Cross Station in London on Aug. 16.Photographer: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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The nature of how organizations capture and store the public’s biometric data, such as fingerprints and images of faces, came under renewed scrutiny this week by security experts and regulators.

Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office said it was opening an investigation into the use of facial-recognition camera technology at London’s Kings Cross development. It followed revelations on Wednesday that millions of pieces of personal biometric data may have leaked from a popular security service.