SIC closes companies that collected biometric data in exchange for cryptocurrencies

The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce confirmed the closure throughout the country of companies that captured biometric data in exchange for cryptocurrencies, a model that operated in other countries amid a scenario of doubts and sanctions.

In the case of Risaralda, the company had two headquarters, one in Pereira and another in Dosquebradas, where long lines of people formed daily handing over their information without clarity about its use. The decision came after an investigation that showed serious risks to the protection of personal data.

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The Superintendent of Industry and Commerce, Cielo Rusinque, pointed out that many citizens handed over their dbiometric data in exchange for cryptocurrencies without understanding the sensitivity of that information or what the purposes of its use were.

“Due to ignorance of the implications that improper processing of biometric data may have, people were giving his iris in exchange for some cryptocurrenciesto which from the SIC we launch different alerts as a preventive measure, andpreventing the cases from continuing to replicate,” the official assured.

According to Rusinque, the company already had a lot of noise internationallyin other countries it had already been sanctioned and closed, which is why actions were also taken in Colombia, in order to safeguard the data of Colombians, who were unaware of the issue.

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The authorities reiterated that the collection of biometric data requires high standards of safety and treatmentand asked citizens to refrain from providing this type of information to companies that do not have official authorization or supervision.