27 Dec Russia Plans Nationwide Biometric Database
In a recent statement, the Bank of Russia said that Russian citizens may have to participate in a country-wide biometric database as early as next year.
According to the bank, the identification system will expand banking access since people will no longer have to visit a particular branch to open an account. State-owned Rostelecom PJSC will be responsible for maintaining the database which will store images of faces, voice samples, irises and fingerprints.
The law, which was passed this month, will take effect six months after and may also be used by microfinancing organizations and government services.
Source: Bloomberg
