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The Sultanate of Oman has recently implemented its Biometric Law, which governs the processing and collection of biometric data and establishes a biometric database for law enforcement purposes.
Issued through Law No. 21/2024 via royal decree in late March, the legislation came into effect on April 1st, 2024. It imposes stringent penalties, including fines of up to 5,000 Omani rials (equivalent to US$12,990) and prison sentences of up to 10 years. Prohibited actions encompass forging biometric data, unauthorized disclosure of biometrics, destruction of biometric samples, and refusal to provide a biometric sample upon authorities’ request.
Oman’s biometric database will encompass biological data gathered from crime scenes, criminal defendants, and relatives of missing individuals. The management of this database falls under the jurisdiction of the Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigation within the Royal Oman Police.
The legislation encompasses various biometric modalities, including genetic material, fingerprints, palm prints, facial scans, and iris scans. Notably, it places emphasis on safeguarding genetic information, with provisions prohibiting paternity tests except in specific circumstances.
In December 2023, Oman conducted its inaugural remote elections, enabling citizens to electronically cast their votes while selecting representatives for the lower house of Parliament. This election utilized a biometric-based digital ID platform developed by Tech5 in collaboration with its partner uqudo.
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