Mexico data protection body to challenge biometric data registry at Supreme court

FILE PHOTO: A fingerprint sensor is pictured on a mobile phone in Mexico City, Mexico, February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's data protection body plans to challenge a controversial new law that requires telecoms companies to gather user biometric data, saying it will argue before the Supreme Court that it violates privacy rights.

The law, which passed in April, is aimed at reducing crimes like extortion and kidnapping by making it more difficult for criminals to remain anonymous when purchasing new mobile phones.