THE IRIS AS A BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIER AND THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

Abstract

This article analyzes the protection of personal data in the context of the use of iris biometrics as an identification mechanism in the digital age. The study addresses the technological relevance of this biometric method, its main technical advantages, and the legal challenges related to privacy, information security, and the processing of sensitive data. Iris biometrics stands out for its accuracy, reliability, and growing use in authentication and access control systems. However, its application requires compliance with legal data protection standards, especially those established by the Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In this context, the article seeks to understand the legal limits of the use of iris biometrics, reflecting on the balance between technological innovation and the protection of fundamental rights, as well as on the role of the Brazilian National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) in overseeing and regulating this matter.