Massachusetts legislation would establish protections for personal biometric data

Legislation proposed in Massachusetts would establish protections for personal biometric data, including fingerprints, facial images and retina, iris and hand scans, Government Technology reports. The bill would require private entities to create a policy establishing guidelines for retaining and destroying biometric identifiers and would open entities up to fines of more than $5,000 per violation if data is shared without consent. The proposal would also establish a private right of action for individuals who believe their biometric data was unlawfully collected or used.