When you unlock your phone with your face or fingerprint, have you ever wondered: Where does all that biometric data go? Who stores it? Is it safe? And what if it leaks?
In today’s digital world, biometric data — your face, fingerprint, voice, or iris scan — has become a key element in verifying your identity. It makes everyday tasks easier, from logging in to an app to signing a digital contract. But behind this convenience lies one crucial question: How is this sensitive data stored and protected?
What Exactly Is Biometric Data?
Biometric data is any unique physical or behavioral characteristic that can identify you. The most common examples are:
- Facial recognition: Your face is scanned and converted into encrypted data points.
- Fingerprint scan: Patterns on your fingertips are mapped and stored.
- Voice recognition: Your voice’s unique frequency is analyzed.
- Iris or retina scan: Patterns in your eye are used for authentication.
How Does Biometric Data Work?
When you first register your biometrics, say your face, the system doesn’t store a raw photo. Instead, it converts your image into a biometric template — a complex string of numbers and encrypted codes representing your unique features.
When you authenticate yourself later, the system compares your live biometric input (like a selfie or fingerprint) with the stored template. If they match, access is granted.
Important: The system should never store your raw images or fingerprints as plain files — only the encrypted templates.
Where Is Biometric Data Stored?
Biometric data can be stored in two main ways:
1. Local Storage (Device-Based)
Your biometric template stays inside your device. For example, when you use Face ID or a fingerprint scanner on your smartphone, the data is stored securely in a special hardware area like Apple’s Secure Enclave or Android’s Trusted Execution Environment. It never leaves your device.
2. Server Storage (Cloud-Based)
In some cases, companies store biometric data on secure servers. This is common for large-scale identity verification systems, such as banks, government databases, or digital onboarding platforms. Here, strict security measures must protect the data, including encryption, access control, and compliance with privacy regulations.
Is Storing Biometric Data Safe?
Yes and no. When done properly, storing biometric data can be safe. But it must follow best practices:
- Encryption: Biometric templates must be encrypted at rest and in transit.
- Zero-Knowledge Storage: Systems should store only templates, not raw images.
- Access Control: Only authorized systems or personnel can access the data.
- Compliance: Companies must follow local laws like GDPR, Indonesia’s PDP Law, or other privacy frameworks.
However, if a company fails to secure its storage, biometric data breaches can be catastrophic. Unlike passwords, you can’t change your face or fingerprints if they’re stolen.
Risks of Poorly Stored Biometric Data
1. Identity Theft That Lasts a Lifetime
If your password leaks, you change it. But your biometric traits are permanent. A stolen biometric profile could be reused for fraud indefinitely.
2. Deepfake Manipulation
Hackers can combine stolen biometric data with AI to create deepfakes — synthetic videos or images that mimic you.
3. Regulatory Fines
Companies that mishandle biometric data face huge legal consequences under privacy laws.
So, Who Owns Your Biometric Data?
In many jurisdictions, you, the user, remain the owner of your biometric data. Companies only get permission to store and process it for specific purposes — usually spelled out in privacy policies and terms of service.
If a company wants to use your data for another purpose, it needs your explicit consent.
Best Practices for Businesses Handling Biometric Data
Companies handling biometric data must take these steps seriously:
✔️ Use end-to-end encryption
All data must be encrypted, from collection to storage to transmission.
✔️ Store only what’s necessary
Don’t store raw images or unnecessary data.
✔️ Comply with laws
Follow local and international privacy laws.
✔️ Provide transparency
Inform users clearly about what data you collect, why, and how long it’s stored.
✔️ Offer clear opt-in/opt-out options
Users should have control over their own data.
How Beeza Keeps Biometric Data Safe
At Beeza, security and privacy are our top priorities. Here’s how Beeza protects biometric data in every step of identity verification and onboarding:
🔒 Encrypted Biometric Templates Only
Beeza never stores raw photos or fingerprints. Instead, we create encrypted biometric templates that can’t be reverse-engineered.
🔒 Local and Secure Cloud Storage
When possible, Beeza supports local device-based verification. When server storage is needed (for onboarding at scale), Beeza uses secure, compliant cloud storage with top-level encryption.
🔒 Strict Access Controls
Only authorized systems and processes can access biometric data. Logs and audit trails monitor all access.
🔒 Compliance with Regulations
Beeza follows all relevant privacy and data protection laws, including Indonesia’s PDP Law and GDPR-equivalent standards.
🔒 Fraud Prevention
Beeza’s AI detects fake or manipulated biometric data and blocks deepfake attempts.
In Short: Your Data, Safely Managed
Biometric technology makes identity verification fast and seamless. But it only works if your data is protected and handled responsibly.
Businesses must choose partners who understand the risks and implement best practices — not just to comply with the law, but to earn user trust.
Take Control of Your Biometric Security with Beeza
Ready to onboard customers with advanced biometrics without compromising safety? Beeza’s solutions make sure your user data stays secure, encrypted, and compliant — from face matching to liveness detection and digital signatures.
👉 Learn more at beeza.id
👉 Follow us for tips on secure onboarding at @beeza_id
Protect your business, your customers, and your reputation — all with one trusted platform.