Court: Cops Can't Force You to Unlock a Phone With Biometrics

Court: Cops Can't Force You to Unlock a Phone With Biometrics

5 years ago
Anonymous $Dftgs0JzgE

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/326359

If a police officer or federal investigator wants to get into your smartphone, they can no longer use your eyes, face, or fingerprint to force you to unlock it.

A federal judge in Northern California has ruled that compelling a device unlock using biometric data is a violation of Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. Cops are already barred from asking suspects to unlock their devices with a passcode, thanks to a Florida appeals court decision this past October. With this decision, biometric login mechanisms are afforded the same protection.