This is the first article in a three-part series analyzing key developments in the area of biometric privacy that took place in 2021, as well as what companies can expect in 2022. Part one takes a look back at the major developments of 2021 and the current legal landscape as it exists as we enter 2022. Part two explores what companies can expect in the biometric privacy arena over the next year. And part three offers tips and strategies for companies to maintain compliance with both current and anticipated biometric privacy laws based on lessons learned to date.

2021 was another important year for biometric privacy. Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) class action litigation filings continued their torrid pace of years past, as liability exposure risks continued to expand.