Understanding Biometric Privacy and Our Commitment to Privacy

Executive Summary

GeoSnapShot is dedicated to ensuring the privacy and security of biometric data. This document outlines our approach to Biometric Privacy. With global attention on biometric privacy and varying regional regulations, we emphasize our commitment to compliance and user control.

GeoSnapShot’s partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) guarantees robust and reliable facial recognition technology, an optional feature for users. This document also highlights the responsibility of organizations to obtain any necessary waivers before uploading photos to GeoSnapShot and offers guidance for legal compliance in different regions.

Overview of Biometric Privacy

Biometric Privacy, called Australian Privacy Principles in Australia, is legislation that governs the collection, use, and handling of biometric identifiers and information. This includes data like fingerprints, retina scans, and facial geometry. The legislation mandates, among other points, that entities must inform individuals and obtain their consent before collecting biometric data.

Global Concerns and Regional Differences

Biometric Privacy has garnered global attention. Privacy laws concerning biometric data vary widely across different countries and states. With increasing global scrutiny and media coverage, businesses must stay informed about regional differences and ensure their practices meet local legal requirements.

Facial Recognition Technology: Understanding Its Use and Limitations

Facial recognition technology is a sophisticated method that analyzes and maps facial features from photographs or video frames to create a digital representation of a person's face, known as a "faceprint." This technology is widely used to attempt to identify individuals in images and personalizing user experiences.

However, it's important to understand that facial recognition is not a unique identifier of a person. Unlike fingerprints or DNA, which are inherently unique to each individual, facial recognition pieces together attributes (such as hair color, eye color, and face shape) to judge whether that individual exists in an image or video.

GeoSnapShot’s Approach to Biometric Privacy

At GeoSnapShot, we take privacy seriously. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy (available from GeoSnapShot.com ) outline our commitment to protecting all personal information, including biometric data. We aim to enable you to understand Biometric Privacy, face recognition, and to use our technology features to comply with your applicable privacy laws.

Trusted Technology Partner: AWS and GeoSnapShot's Facial Recognition

GeoSnapShot's facial recognition technology is powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading and trusted global technology provider renowned for its robust and secure cloud services. You can view AWS’s information page on “The Facts on Facial Recognition with Artificial Intelligence” here.

AWS offers cutting-edge artificial intelligence services that ensure high levels of accuracy and reliability in facial recognition. By leveraging AWS's advanced technology, GeoSnapShot provides a seamless and secure experience for users who opt to use facial recognition within the GeoSnapShot platform.

As a technology provider, GeoSnapShot is dedicated to offering our customers the optional use of facial recognition to enhance their experience. This feature is designed to simplify the process of identifying individuals in photographs and videos while ensuring that privacy and data security remain our top priorities.

Optional Use of Facial Recognition

Using facial recognition on GeoSnapShot is entirely optional. Organizations have the flexibility to switch off facial recognition if they prefer not to use this feature. This empowers users to control the privacy settings they choose to use.

User Responsibility for Waivers

Face recognition of photos and videos (i.e. biometric data gathering) is activated when the photos and videos are uploaded to the GeoSnapShot platform. This allows the GeoSnapShot platform to either match and display or match and redact (i.e. block from view) photos and videos that feature attributes of an individual.

When organizations upload photos to GeoSnapShot, they are responsible for obtaining the necessary consent from individuals featured in the photographs and videos. GeoSnapShot does not have access to those individuals to obtain their consent.

What Biometric Privacy features are available on GeoSnapShot

  • Have facial recognition switched on or off for your account
  • Have facial recognition switched on or off for a particular collection of photos (referred to as an “event”)
  • You have full control to delete your photos and therefore the biometric information associated with those photos at any time using your account

Legal Guidance

We strongly recommend that organizations consult with their legal counsel to understand the implications of any Biometric Privacy legislation in their region. While we provide examples in the appendix for guidance, it is crucial to get professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances and local laws.

Conclusion

Biometric Privacy represents an important legal framework for protecting biometric information. GeoSnapShot is committed to upholding the highest standards of privacy and providing a technology platform that respects users' preferences.

The use of facial recognition is optional in GeoSnapShot, and the responsibility for obtaining waivers lies with the organization that photographs the events and uploads those photos to GeoSnapShot.

Appendix: Example Biometric Privacy Waivers

These Biometric Privacy Waiver examples are provided for information purposes only. Biometric Privacy laws are changing rapidly and are different in every country and state. Please seek your own legal advice when implementing Biometric Privacy as you should with any other waivers and privacy policies.

1) Example of a Full Biometric Privacy Waiver for a Participant at a Sports Event (cut down)

Biometric Privacy Waiver

By participating in this event and entering the event premises, you consent to the collection and use of your biometric data, including facial recognition, for the purpose of identifying and tagging event photographs. This data will be used for the purposes of enhancing your event experience and will be handled in accordance with applicable Biometric Privacy laws.

You have the right to opt out of biometric data collection by notifying the event organizer prior to participation. If you do not consent to the collection of your biometric data, please inform the registration desk immediately.

Signature: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Printed Name: ______________________

2) Example Biometric Privacy Paragraph to Add to an Existing Participant Waiver

Biometric Information Consent

I hereby consent to the collection, use, and storage of my biometric data, including facial recognition, for the purposes of identifying and tagging event photographs. I understand that this data will be used in accordance with Biometric Privacy legislation and other applicable privacy laws.

I have been informed of my Biometric Privacy rights and understand that I can opt out by notifying the event organizer.

3) Example of a Biometric Privacy Waiver on the Back of a Ticket of Entry to a Sports Event

Notice of Biometric Information Collection

By using this ticket to enter the event, you consent to the collection and use of your biometric data, including facial recognition, for the purpose of identifying and tagging event photographs. This data will be handled in accordance with the Biometric Privacy legislation and other applicable laws.

If you do not consent, please contact the event organizer immediately.
For more information, visit [link to your privacy policy]

4) Example of a Full Biometric Privacy Waiver for a Parent at a School

Biometric Privacy Waiver

To identify the photos and videos that students are featured in, and to make them available to the parents, our school uses an Australian digital media management platform called GeoSnapShot, which includes the option of matching photos and videos via facial recognition.

Facial recognition pieces together attributes such as hair colour, eye colour, and face shape to ascertain whether a student exists in an image or video.

As a parent, you must consent to the gathering and use of your child’s biometric data for facial recognition, to identify the photographs and videos they are featured in.

This data will be used to enhance your school life experience, for the school to manage its digital assets (including to redact photos of students who do not have media consent), and will be handled in accordance with the Biometric Privacy legislation and other applicable laws.

Please indicate below if you do, or do not consent to the collection of your child’s biometric data for media management by the school.

I do/do not consent.
Signature: _________________
Date: ______________________
Printed Name: ____________