Counter-terrorism | Privacy International

Biometrics domination under the pretext of combating terrorism

Biometric data collection and use in the name of countering terrorism has been accelerating around the globe, often abusively, without being effectively regulated or subject to accountability mechanisms

This week we talk to Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights &

Reports and Analysis

Long Read

Biometrics collection under the pretext of counter-terrorism

Countering the Spread of Biometrics: three case studies from differing contexts illustrate the looming dangers of the untransparent and unregulated collection of biometric data in the name of combating terrorism.

Report

Biometrics and counter-terrorism: Case study of Somalia

A case study illustrating the use and looming dangers of collection and use of biometrics in the name of counter-terrorism.

Report

Biometrics and counter-terrorism: Case study of Iraq and Afghanistan

A case study illustrating the use and looming dangers of collection and use of biometrics in the name of counter-terrorism.

News

22nd July 2020

New Report on “The Use of Biometric Data to Identify Terrorists: Best Practice or Risky Business?"

15th January 2020

Advocate General’s Opinion: national security mass retention regimes are incompatible with EU Law

15th January 2020

Preliminary Statement: Advocate General's Opinion Advises that Mass Surveillance Regime is Unlawful

13th November 2019

Government implies having no responsibility for MI5 ‘agents’ human rights abuses

12th September 2019

Counter-terrorism global policies: law making behind closed doors

19th January 2018

Right to privacy at the UN in 2017 - Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing

Examples of Abuse

Want to know how this translate in the real world? Here is the latest example in the news.

UK overhauls suspicious activity reporting system

In January 2019 the UK Home Office announced it would collaborate with France to overhaul its regime for suspicious activity reports in order to fight money laundering. In 2018, the number of SARs filed with the National Crime Agency rose by 10% to nearly 464,000. Banks, financial services, lawyers

See more examples of abuse

Our Advocacy

Submission for the report on ‘soft law’ by the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights

Privacy International's submission to the consultation initiated by the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights on the impact on human rights of the proliferation of “soft law” instruments and related standard-setting initiatives and processes in the counter-terrorism context. In

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