Biometric data is “special category” data under GDPR, so attendance systems that use it need explicit consent, data minimisation, encryption and clear retention limits. The simplest way to reduce risk is to keep that data under your own control.
What GDPR requires for biometric attendance
- A lawful basis plus an Article 9 condition (usually explicit, freely-given consent).
- Data minimisation: store an encrypted template, not raw images.
- Retention limits: keep data only as long as needed.
- Security: protect templates and restrict access.
Why on-premises helps compliance
With on-premises deployment, biometric templates never leave your servers. You decide where data lives, who can access it, and how long it’s kept — compliance by architecture, not just policy. This is why regulated and EU organisations often prefer on-premises over cloud-only tools.
Enforcement is real
Regulators have acted against employers for unlawful biometric attendance processing, so consent and data handling matter in practice, not just on paper.
FAQ
Can we run biometric attendance GDPR-compliantly? Yes — with proper consent, encrypted on-prem templates and retention limits. NCheck’s on-premises option is designed for exactly this.
See NCheck on your own devices. Biometric attendance, access control and visitor management on phones, tablets, IP cameras or terminals — cloud or fully on-premises. Book a demo.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
