Since the launch of the iPhone 5s with Touch-ID, one could argue things are more secure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJkmc8-eyvE

However, legally, this is not the case. Let’s explain what Touch ID is. Apple in its effort to stand apart from the competition (Android, etc.) integrated a micro-sensor/fingerprint reading device into iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus. The technological advance in Apple’s eyes was to allow you to securely make purchase transactions without your credit card number being seen. Other advantages include unlocking/accessing your phone with your thumbprint vs the four digit passcode.

For most people, these security measures seem quite superior. However, a legal conundrum muddles the picture. Earlier this year, a circuit court ruling determined a person’s fingerprints are not protected under the 5th Amendment. Ironically, the four-digit passcode, or any password/passcode, is protected under the 5th amendment. The court case surrounded a husband that had attacked his wife while recording it on his Touch-ID enabled iPhone.

In short, this could be directly applied to other forms of biometric devices that acts as security measures to lock data. Biometrics might be more secure in some areas, but in terms of the law, what’s inside your head is 100 percent protected.