--- title: "Biometric time clock vs. phone app · Sicheca" description: "Advantages and risks of fingerprint or face clocks compared with recording from the phone." url: https://sicheca.com/en/blog/reloj-biometrico-vs-app-en-el-celular lang: en alternate_es: https://sicheca.com/blog/reloj-biometrico-vs-app-en-el-celular.md --- Comparisons · 3 min read # Biometric time clock versus phone app Short answer The biometric clock makes it harder for someone to clock in for another person, but it processes sensitive data and is a fixed device. The app uses no biometrics and works anywhere. ## What to know about biometrics - Fingerprints and faces are sensitive personal data. - They require express consent. - Labor law does not require them. ## How an app protects identity Personal account, QR code on site and location when recording. ## The reform in one minute The reform has two parts. On March 3, 2026, article 123 of the Constitution was amended to set the 40-hour workweek. On May 1, 2026, the Federal Labor Law was amended, which is where the detail is. - The maximum working week drops from 48 to 40 hours, two hours per year, between 2027 and 2030. - Overtime has a weekly cap: it is paid at double time up to the cap and at triple time for up to 4 more hours. - Each company must electronically record the start and end time of each person's workday. - Not keeping that record is fined 250 to 5,000 UMA. - Salary and benefits cannot go down because of the reduction in hours. What remains pending are the STPS general rules, which will define who the record applies to and what exceptions there will be. They take effect on January 1, 2027. | Year | Maximum working hours | Double-time overtime | Triple-time overtime | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | 48 h | 9 h | 4 h | | 2027 | 46 h | 9 h | 4 h | | 2028 | 44 h | 10 h | 4 h | | 2029 | 42 h | 11 h | 4 h | | 2030 | 40 h | 12 h | 4 h | Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on May 1, 2026, second and fourth transitory provisions, and article 68 of the LFT. Each change applies from January 1. ## Common mistakes - Comparing the purchase price and not the cost of operating. - Not testing the tool with the real team. - Forgetting the staff who do not work on site. - Not asking how an error is corrected. - Not checking how data is downloaded if you change providers. ## What to do now 1. Note how your team works: on site, in the field or remotely. 2. Define which report you need to deliver. 3. Try two options for a week. 4. Ask the team which one they used without help. 5. Check how you export your data. ## Related terms **[What is PTU, or profit sharing](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/que-es-la-ptu).** PTU is the workers' share in the company's profits: 10% of the company's taxable profit, which is distributed among its staff. **[Mandatory rest days in Mexico](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/dias-de-descanso-obligatorio).** These are the holidays set by article 74 of the Federal Labor Law. **[INFONAVIT contributions: what they are](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/aportaciones-al-infonavit).** The INFONAVIT contribution is 5% of each person's contribution base salary, paid by the company. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which is safer legally? The one that complies with labor law without adding sensitive-data obligations. ### Is overtime counted by week? Yes. The cap on double-time overtime is weekly and per person. ### Can someone work more than 12 hours in a day? No. The sum of ordinary and overtime hours cannot exceed 12 hours per day. ### Does salary go down if fewer hours are worked? No. The reform prohibits lowering wages and benefits because of the reduction in working hours. ### Is the reform already in force? Yes. The reform to the Federal Labor Law took effect on May 1, 2026. The reduction in working hours starts on January 1, 2027. ## Legal basis and sources - Electronic working-time record: article 132, section XXXIV, of the LFT and fifth transitory provision of the decree. - Workday as time at the company's disposal: article 58 of the LFT. - [Decree amending the Federal Labor Law on the reduction of the working week](https://sidof.segob.gob.mx/notas/docFuente/5786537). Official Gazette of the Federation, May 1, 2026. - [Federal Labor Law, current text](https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LFT.pdf). Chamber of Deputies. **How we write this content.** The Sicheca team writes it from the official text of the law. When something is not yet defined by the authority, we say so. It is general information and does not replace the advice of a lawyer or an accountant. ## Keep reading [ Comparisons **Excel versus a working-time recording system**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/excel-vs-sistema-de-registro-de-jornada) [ Comparisons **Paper list versus electronic record**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/lista-en-papel-vs-registro-electronico) [ Comparisons **Recording by QR code or by location: which to use**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/registro-por-codigo-qr-vs-ubicacion) [ Law and fines **Fine for not keeping the electronic working-time record**](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/multa-por-no-llevar-registro-de-jornada) [See all articles](https://sicheca.com/en/blog/) Who publishes this blog Sicheca is a digital time clock for recording working time from your phone. We write these guides from the official text of the law, so any business can understand what applies to it. If you want to try it, there is a waitlist. [Join the waitlist](https://sicheca.com/en/lista-de-espera?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=articulo&utm_campaign=reloj-biometrico-vs-app-en-el-celular&utm_content=final)