Coinbase · Coinbase Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Biometric Data Collection

High severity Uncommon · 17 of 325 platforms
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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.

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

Wealthfront Medium

We may use third-party vendors for identity verification. These vendors analyze whether the Client's "selfie" matches the government-issued identity document. The information collected from Client photographs may constitute biometric information in some jurisdictions. Where required by law, we will ...

Roblox Medium

Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Services, you consent to the data collection and use practices described in the Privacy Policy. Roblox collects information you provide directly, information collected a...

Best Buy Medium

We collect information about you in a variety of ways depending on how you interact with us and our products and services. This includes information you provide directly, information we collect automatically when you use our services, and information we receive from third parties. We may collect ide...

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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: May 20, 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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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 17 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.