Definition
Biometric Data
Data derived from physical characteristics such as fingerprints, face geometry, or voice, used to verify identity but impossible to change if compromised.
Biometric data authenticates you by measuring something about your body rather than something you know or hold. It is convenient and hard to phish directly, but unlike a password, a compromised fingerprint or faceprint cannot be reset.
Why it matters: biometrics are best used to unlock a local device or vault, where the data need never leave it, rather than transmitted to and stored by third-party services, which turns a permanent trait into a permanent liability if data incidented.
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