By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General and Senator Ryan Pinder said the new Data Protection Bill will guarantee “maximum protection” for biometric data, assuring unions that the government intends to implement the most robust data-protection framework the country has ever had as the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) prepares to replace its paper security cards with biometric access.

“We are putting in the most sophisticated and strenuous data-protection elements, especially with respect to biometric data, that this country has ever seen,” Mr Pinder said.

Senator Pinder, during his contribution to the debate in the Upper Chamber on the new Data Protection Bill, acknowledged union concerns regarding how biometric data will be collected, stored, accessed and protected. He framed those concerns as valid and expected when sensitive personal information is involved.

Healthcare unions have publicly questioned the PHA’s plan to introduce fingerprint-based access and time-tracking, warning that the proposed system could breach worker protections and place sensitive data at risk. The Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU), which represents PHA support staff, has argued that compulsory fingerprinting may contravene Section 67 of the Employment Act and advised members not to comply until legal questions are resolved. The Bahamas Nurses Union has also cited privacy fears, noting that biometric identifiers cannot be changed if compromised and require strict oversight.

The attorney general said unions and employees can feel confident that their information will be safeguarded, with the new law mandating strict privacy rules and further regulations to clarify procedures. He urged unions to continue engaging with the PHA on any outstanding questions, underlining transparency as essential and adding that the Authority should facilitate responses to concerns raised by their members.

“Without this framework, legislative gaps would remain, leading to lapses in public trust — something we cannot afford, especially with sensitive personal data,” Mr Pinder said.

Mr Pinder said biometric data is increasingly becoming part of public-sector operations in The Bahamas, requiring a strong legislative backbone, consistent standards across agencies and public confidence in how information is handled.

“This is nothing unique. It happens all over the world. Hospitals are high-security areas, and the security element should be as robust as possible,” he said. “When you go to Latin American countries and access an office, they take your passport, take your picture, scan everything. They’re collecting your biometric data for security purposes, so this is not out of the ordinary.”