Panel, agencies seek biometric guidelines

Move follows eye scanning campaign

- SUCHIT LEESA-NGUANSUK

The Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) convened with related public and private agencies to seek ways to establish clearer guidelines to regulate the collection and use of biometric data, particularly iris scans, over concerns pertaining to the use of personal data.

This follows widespread public participation in an iris scan activity carried out by Tools For Humanity Thailand in exchange for digital asset rewards as part of a campaign.

Pol Col Suraphong Plengkham, secretary-general of the PDPC, said the eye scanning campaign raised concerns as to whether the data collected could be misused or whether or not the campaign complied with the law.

The committee early this week invited key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including Tools For Humanity Thailand, to jointly establish regulatory guidelines on this matter.

Participating agencies included the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Department of Special Investigation and National Telecom.