The Bank of Russia plans to classify biometric data sent by banks to the Unified Biometric System into several reading-quality based groups. This information comes from Interfax, citing Olga Skorobogatova, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia.
The Bank of Russia is working on a scheme that will segment biometric data into distinct levels. The deputy governor explained that some data would enable all possible transactions, a second tier would permit only a subset of actions, and a third level would restrict usage to basic identification or user authentication.
Skorobogatova compared this framework to the Gosuslug system, where authentication depth determines access to different public services. The intention is to lower risk when dealing with biometric samples that do not meet ideal quality standards. By assigning levels to data, banks can still utilize biometrics that fall short of perfect readings in a lighter operational mode while maintaining security controls.
Banks must transfer all customer biometric data to the Unified Biometric System by the stated deadline, though many biometric readings obtained from commercial systems may not fully align with the system’s requirements. The tiered approach is designed to accommodate less-than-perfect data while preserving usable functionality for customers who rely on biometric authentication.
According to the Bank of Russia official, a significant portion of services will be accessible through the biometric system, and this broader availability is expected to encourage more citizens to participate in sharing their biometric information, similar to the adoption patterns seen with the Unified Identity System. The more features that are offered, the more active users are anticipated to become.
The option to opt out of switching to the Unified Biometric System remains available to Russian citizens at this time. Earlier developments indicate that the initiative has moved through various stages, with several banks already engaged in early biometric projects and pilots.
Historically, the program has involved coordination with the central bank and other government bodies to standardize biometric data handling, storage, and usage rules. The latest proposal emphasizes risk mitigation by matching data quality with appropriate permissions, thereby enabling wider inclusion while protecting sensitive operations from exposure to lower-quality biometric inputs. This approach seeks to balance convenience with security and privacy expectations as new digital services expand across financial and public sectors. The banks involved in these efforts are adapting their systems to align with the evolving requirements while continuing to offer customers continued access to key features through biometrics as the system scales. Overall, the move reflects an ongoing push toward broader digital identity infrastructure that supports a diverse range of services while maintaining rigorous safeguards for user data. This transition underscores a broader trend in which biometric data is treated as a flexible resource that can support layered access models rather than a single, all-encompassing permission set. In practice, consumers may experience more options for authentication and service access as the level-based framework becomes more fully implemented, with ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure alignment with security standards and user expectations. The evolution of this system continues to be watched closely by financial institutions, technology providers, and privacy advocates alike, as it has the potential to influence how biometric data is used in other sectors beyond banking. At each step, the goal remains clear: provide reliable identity verification while minimizing risks associated with imperfect data.