On June 1, a law came into force regulating the processing of biometric personal data exclusively within the Unified Biometric System (UBS). According to it, banks and other organizations are required to transfer the relevant data by September 30 of this year. Organizations under the new law must notify their clients that their biometrics will be transferred to the UBS. The deadline for this notification is 30 days.
In a comment to RIA Novosti, a representative of Roskachestvo explained that Russian citizens retain the right to refuse the transfer of their biometric data to the system even after September 1. Below are the main points.
No Specific Deadlines for Opting Out
According to Roskachestvo, there are no specific dates after which opting out of the transfer of biometric data to the UBS will be unavailable. A representative of the organization emphasized that Russians can maintain control over their biometric data at any time, even after September 1.
Opt-Out Procedure
Any citizen can decide at any time to refuse the collection, storage, and use of their biometric data. This also includes the ability to prohibit the use of their biometrics in the future. To do this, you should contact the Multifunctional Center for the provision of state and municipal services (MFC). With this prohibition, you can always cancel it if needed.
Possibility to Revoke Consent
If biometric data has already been collected, a citizen still has the right to revoke permission for its use in the UBS. To do this, you will need to send a request to the UBS operator, in which you must specify the requirement to block, delete, or destroy the relevant information. This detail was confirmed by Igor Pozdnyakov, Deputy Director of the Department for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Development of Quality of Financial Services at Roskachestvo.
Simple Steps to Opt-Out
In order to refuse the use of your biometrics in a specific organization, you will need to send a refusal application directly to that organization. Some companies provide the opportunity to do this through online forms. In addition, consent can also be revoked through the "Gosuslugi" portal. The new "Biometrics" section in the "Profile" on the portal will allow users to monitor the consents issued. From 2024, functionality will also be available there to revoke previously granted consents and request the destruction of biometric data.
Importance of Choice
If you refuse to use biometric data, the user should be prepared to lose access to services provided using biometrics, such as payment with voice or face identification.
