The Netherlands may collect fingerprints and store all biometric data from its citizens when applying for a passport, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday. The Dutch Council of State asked the EU court to give legal explanations about European Union rules regarding the storage of fingerprints, after determining there are no existing rules prohibiting the practice.
 
The issue started as four Dutch people refused to give fingerprints when applying for a passport or an ID card. They claim that the collection and storage of biometric data is “a gross violation of bodily integrity and a restriction of the right to the protection of private life,” the Parool writes. The concern raised is the use of stored data for other purposes.