Biometrical data legal issues of mobile payment transactions in the Republic of Latvia

Abstract

Biometrics are any metrics related to human features. The most common examples of a biometric recognition system are the mobile phone’s fingerprint and facial recognition technology. As an emerging technology, biometric systems can add great convenience by replacing passwords and helping in law enforcement operations. The banking sector is another embracing biometrics across a range of services, in particular in mobile payment transactions. Therefore, there are serious privacy concerns when it comes to biometrics which will be examined in the master thesis in line with legal issues which create the basis to provide a high level of privacy and security. The first chapter of the master thesis defines mobile payments and traces an overview of the mobile payment systems. The second chapter analyses the concept of biometric data and examines the legal provisions of international and national levels for biometric data. In the third chapter of the master thesis, the author discusses the conditions for the processing of biometric data, in particular related to the consent given by the client under GDPR. The fourth part is devoted to the oversight requirement and responsibilities between the subjects involved in the processing of biometric data. Cybersecurity is explored in the fifth chapter. Along with the above mentioned the author analyses certain unresolved issues and suggests various proposals to improve legislation to maintain a high level of security and certainty in the use of biometric data as well as to reduce the abuse of international and national laws and regulations.