Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an inquiry into Ryanair’s use of facial recognition technology as a part of its online customer verification process for bookings from third parties.
Ryanair launched its controversial policy of requiring biometric data from passengers who didn’t book directly through its website in 2023. This move caused “friction” and “frustrations” for business travellers using online booking tools or travel management firms to book the airline’s flights.
Following “quite a few” complaints from passengers, the DPC has now announced an official inquiry into Ryanair’s policy to see whether it complies with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Graham Doyle, the commission’s deputy commissioner, said: “The DPC has received quite a few complaints from Ryanair customers across the EU/EEA who after booking their flights were subsequently required to undergo a verification process.
“The verification methods utilized by Ryanair included the usage of facial recognition technology using customers’ biometric data. This inquiry will consider whether Ryanair’s use of its verification methods complies with the GDPR.”
The DPC’s move is a “cross-border” inquiry and it’s going to “consider whether Ryanair has complied with its various obligations under the GDPR, including the lawfulness and transparency of the info processing”.
Earlier this 12 months, trade body EU Travel Tech joined data protection authorities in France and Belgium in filing a criticism against Ryanair over the web verification process.
The budget carrier has previously stated that the verification process was implemented to avoid “unauthorised” online agents from selling flights and ancillary services at “inflated” prices.
Ryanair has signed several recent partnership deals with third parties, similar to Travelfusion, Kyte and SAP Concur, to permit their customers to avoid the web customer verification process. The airline also rekindled its relationship with global distribution system Amadeus last 12 months.
BTN Europe has contacted Ryanair for comment on the DPC’s decision to launch an inquiry into its biometric identification policy.
