Biometric data is valuable. Assuming that Musk's DOGE crew copied data obtained from US gov agencies, they may have also obtained biometric data of EU citizens. At least some countries have shared citizens' fingerprints with the US. Not just Visa Waiver Program applicants' but as I understand, previous government of Poland made a deal to share all citizens' fingerprints. And these are collected from anyone renewing their government ID card.
Sadly, I'm unable to find specific documents confirming it. AFAIK, Poland agreed to biometric data sharing with the US Office of Biometric Identity Management in exchange for loosening travel requirements. That said, US seems to be pushing[0] for more such agreements.
You got me thinking and I’m not sure my fingerprints or any other biometric data have ever formally been recorded by the federal, provincial, or local governments.
In most cases the most biometric data is your photo and I guess height?
So beginning to normalize the collection of eyeball data as a thing is a pretty significant escalation.
> In most cases the most biometric data is your photo and I guess height?
As I mentioned - Polish id renewals require fingerprints scan and this data was likely shared with the US Office of Biometric Identity Management.
Where it comes to passports, fingerprint scans were required for years and in Poland (and I'd guess all EU passports) there's a low quality black and white photo printed inside, but the card/book has an embedded NFC with a higher resolution color photo. Whenever airport security takes one's passport, they swipe it over NFC reader and compare your face with a higher quality version than you see on the physical item, which usually is low quality photo crossed with anti-forgery Guilloché[0] lines. Feel free to read your passport and id with a raspi/arduino and NFC reader :)
In EU, obtaining an identity card needs one’s recent biometric(important!) photo and certain finger prints. Not sure about US.
Also where I work, to enter certain facilities, I also need to not only scan my badge, but also my fingerprint or sometimes palm(may sound absurd but I am sure some of you work in same sector).
