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NatWest change to biometric data policy

steven141
steven141 Posts: 504 Forumite
100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
in Budgeting & bank accounts

See here from 20th May 2026 they can use your biometric data without your consent now to prevent fraud for legitimate reasons.

https://www.ukbusinesstimes.co.uk/natwest-may-20-2026-alert/

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Comments

  • marcia_
    marcia_ Posts: 4,119 Forumite
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    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664769/natwest-change-to-biometric-data-policy

    you have a problem with this?

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  • steven141
    steven141 Posts: 504 Forumite
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    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968927#Comment_81968927

    I just saw it and as it seems to be the only bank that will store your face it is something new so thought it was worth creating a post.

  • booneruk
    booneruk Posts: 886 Forumite
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    edited 19 April at 10:11AM

    I don't think the bank storing your face is quite as you think it is. Besides, haven't banks "stored your face" via CCTV in physical branches, cashpoint cameras and passport scans on manual application for years?

    And indeed, massive AI Slop. It hurts to look at that article.

  • flaneurs_lobster
    flaneurs_lobster Posts: 10,047 Forumite
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    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969125#Comment_81969125
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969140#Comment_81969140

    They do sort-of store your face, insofar as the verification needs a video of your face to be sent to NWG's servers for verification, most other institutions use the device's local face ID tech.

    OP's post makes an interesting point about NWG's change of policy, unfortunately it's taken from a dreadful example of what AI will do when you let it.

  • booneruk
    booneruk Posts: 886 Forumite
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    edited 19 April at 10:35AM

    As far as I understand it, for verification/signup the bank stores an mathematical representation of your face" - it won't be photographs/pure video. At least I don't think so! (but then I can't make myself read the article fully)

  • flaneurs_lobster
    flaneurs_lobster Posts: 10,047 Forumite
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    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969172#Comment_81969172

    Well pedantically you could describe anything stored on digital media as a "mathematical representation" but does it really matter if the image is stored "as is" or hashed down to a number? Whatever they stored when you set it up is sufficiently like what you send now to allow them to say yes or no.

  • steven141
    steven141 Posts: 504 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 21 April at 1:23PM

    Sorry I didn't realise that article was AI. I should have linked to the NatWest website.

    Here is their page about Biometrics

    https://www.natwest.com/support-centre/general-banking-information/general/what-is-biometric.html

  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 16,780 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper

    I'm sure I saw another article somewhere about a different bank announcing something with biometrics as well. I'm wondering if it's a industry wide thing?

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  • ForumUser7
    ForumUser7 Posts: 2,585 Forumite
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    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969433#Comment_81969433

    NatWest Group has sent similar emails from Ulster Bank, RBS, and NatWest, regarding this. Though another banking group may be doing something similar.

    If you want me to definitely see your reply, please tag me @forumuser7 Thank you.

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