Biometrics Ban Passed by County Lawmakers
(WBEN on Audacy, Apr 30, 2026)
Erie County lawmakers voted 7 to 3 to approve a measure that would ban commercial entities from using biometrics, reflecting growing concern over how businesses collect, use, and sometimes sell sensitive customer data without clear public awareness. Supporters framed the move as a consumer protection measure, while opponents argued the proposal still leaves major legal and practical questions unanswered. If it survives any court challenge, the ban could take effect on October 30.
Immigrants File Suit Over Trump’s Catch-22 Biometric Data Policy
(NOTUS, Apr 30, 2026)
Detained immigrants have filed a class-action lawsuit arguing that a Trump administration biometric policy traps them in an impossible position by requiring fingerprints and photos for visa and deportation-protection applications while barring biometric collection for people in detention. The case centers on plaintiffs who say they qualify for protections such as victim-based visas but cannot move their cases forward because USCIS denies applications when required biometric appointments are missed.
Failure to Tackle Facial Recognition Firm Triggers Privacy Complaint
(EURACTIV, Apr 30, 2026)
Privacy advocates are escalating pressure on regulators after Hamburg’s data protection authority reportedly declined to take stronger action against PimEyes, a facial recognition search engine that noyb says has built a massive biometric database from images scraped across the internet. The dispute centers on whether European privacy law can be effectively enforced against a company believed to be based outside the EU, raising broader concerns that regulators are allowing invasive facial-recognition businesses to keep operating even after concluding their practices are unlawful.
Facial Recognition Error Locks Mom Out of Roblox Parental Controls
(NBC4 Los Angeles (KNBC), Apr 29, 2026)
A mother says Roblox’s facial age estimation system mistakenly upgraded her 9-year-old son’s account to the 13 to 15 age group, cutting off her access to parental controls and leaving her unable to reverse the change without government-issued ID. The report adds to broader scrutiny of Roblox’s child-safety practices, highlighting how verification tools meant to protect young users can create new problems when they make the wrong call.
Jet2 Backs Greece’s Move to Stop Biometric Checks for British Tourists
(Canarian Weekly, Apr 30, 2026)
Jet2 is backing Greece’s decision to pause biometric Entry/Exit System checks for British tourists, arguing that border systems and airport processes are not ready for a smooth summer rollout. The report also notes that the EU Commission says Greece has no legal right to suspend the checks, turning the move into both a travel story and a regulatory dispute as operators push other destinations to follow Greece’s lead.
