Coinbase · Coinbase Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Biometric Data Collection

High severity Uncommon · 20 of 343 platforms
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Recent governance activity Coinbase recorded 4 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

Coinbase collects your facial geometry data when you verify your identity, which is some of the most sensitive personal data that exists.

This analysis describes what Coinbase's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

Biometric collection establishes a data processing mechanism tied to Coinbase's identity verification and legal compliance framework. This data category receives different regulatory treatment than standard personal information under biometric privacy statutes in certain jurisdictions.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Apr 3, 2026
First Seen
Apr 9, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 967 other provisions on other platforms.

Change history

modified May 28, 2026

Current version consolidates biometric and KYC data collection into a single provision and changes language from 'may collect' to 'collect,' emphasizing active collection of government-issued ID alongside biometric data.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Your facial geometry is collected during identity verification and stored by Coinbase and potentially its third-party identity verification vendors, creating exposure to biometric data breaches that cannot be remediated by credential rotation.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Navigate to privacy.coinbase.com, select 'Delete My Data', and specify that you are requesting deletion of biometric data collected during identity verification. Note that deletion may affect your ability to access Coinbase services.

How other platforms handle this

Paramount+ Medium

"By clicking 'Next', you are indicating that you have read and agree to the TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY"

OpenAI Medium

We automatically collect certain information from your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Service, we collect information about the individual web pages or products th...

Microsoft Azure Medium

Location data. Data about your device's location, which can be either precise or imprecise. For example, we collect location data using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., GPS) and data about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. Location can also be inferred from a device's IP address...

See all platforms with this clause type →

Monitoring

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We may collect biometric data such as your facial geometry through identity verification processes. We use this to verify your identity and comply with our legal obligations.

— Excerpt from Coinbase's Coinbase Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Collection of biometric identifiers implicates Illinois BIPA (740 ILCS 14/1 et seq.) requiring written consent, a retention policy, and prohibition on sale; Texas CUBI (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §503.001); Washington My Health MY Data Act; GDPR Art. 9 (special category data requiring explicit consent or another Art. 9(2) basis); and CCPA/CPRA §1798.140 defining biometric information as sensitive personal information requiring opt-out or limitation rights. Primary enforcers: Illinois AG and private right of action under BIPA; FTC; EU DPAs.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over unfair or deceptive biometric data practices under FTC Act Section 5 and has issued specific guidance on biometric information privacy.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general in Illinois, Texas, and Washington have enforcement authority over state-specific biometric privacy statutes including BIPA, CUBI, and the My Health MY Data Act.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
FCRA
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
GLBA
United States Federal
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
TCPA
United States Federal
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Coinbase Privacy Policy
Entity
Coinbase
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 3, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-000418
Document ID
CA-D-00048
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
e2d4eaa6ef636c27b1f2eeda89403a21fabbd0722c16e0f34e9c2f754985ff07
Analysis generated
April 3, 2026 08:57 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Coinbase
Document: Coinbase Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-000418
Captured: 2026-04-03 08:57:19 UTC
SHA-256: e2d4eaa6ef636c27…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/coinbase/coinbase-privacy-policy/biometric-data-collection/
Accessed: July 4, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Coinbase's Biometric Data Collection clause do?

Biometric collection establishes a data processing mechanism tied to Coinbase's identity verification and legal compliance framework. This data category receives different regulatory treatment than standard personal information under biometric privacy statutes in certain jurisdictions.

How does this clause affect you?

Your facial geometry is collected during identity verification and stored by Coinbase and potentially its third-party identity verification vendors, creating exposure to biometric data breaches that cannot be remediated by credential rotation.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 20 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Coinbase?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Coinbase.