Biometrics in schools

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Starting in the early 2000s, various schools in the world have began to establish biometric systems. Various reasons are alleged for such practices, including struggling against truancy, replacing library cards or meal cards by fingerprinting systems, etc. Opponents to biometrics have lifted up privacy concerns against the creation of databases which would progressively include the entire population.

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[edit] Fingerprinting in schools over the world

Various schools have implemented fingerprint locks or registered children's fingerprints. This happened in the United Kingdom (fingerprint lock in the Holland Park School in London [1], databases, etc.) [2], in Belgium (école Marie-José in Liège [3][4]), in France, in Italy, etc. The NGO Privacy International has alerted that tens of thousands of UK school children were being fingerprinted by schools, often without the knowledge or consent of their parents [5]. In 2002, the supplier Micro Librarian Systems, which use a technology similar to US prisons and German military, estimated that 350 schools through-out Britain were using such systems, to replace library cards [5]. In 2007, it is estimated that 3 500 schools (ten times more) are using such systems [6]. Under the Data Protection Act (DPA), schools in the UK do not have to ask parental consent for such practices. Parents opposed to such practices may only bring individual complaints against schools [7].

The alleged use of taking children's fingerprints is to struggle against school skipping or/and to replace library cards or money for meals by fingerprint locks. In Belgium, this practice gave rise to a question in Parliament on February 6, 2007 by Michel de La Motte (Humanist Democratic Centre) to the Education Minister Marie Arena, who replied that they were legal insofar as the school did not use them for external purposes nor to survey the private life of children [8]. Such practices have also been used in France (Angers, Carqueiranne college in the Var — the latter won the Big Brother Award of 2005 for its hand geometry system, etc.) although the CNIL, official organism in charge of protection of privacy, has declared them "disproportionate." [9]. The CNIL, however, declared in 2002 hand geometry systems to be acceptable [9].

[edit] History

Biometric systems were first used in schools in the UK in 2001. Use of this technology in schools is now widespread, though there are currently no official figures for how many schools employ the technology.

[edit] Applications

Biometric technologies in schools are used to borrow library books, for cashless canteen systems, vending machines, class attendance and payments into schools. Biometric technologies for home/school bus journeys are also under development.

[edit] Types of biometric in use

Primarily the type of biometric employed is a fingerprint scan or thumbprint scan but vein and iris scanning systems are also in use.

[edit] Ages of children using biometrics

The biometric systems can be used by children as young as three years old.

[edit] Countries currently using biometrics in schools

The two countries at the forefront employing biometric technology in schools are Britain and the USA. Biometric systems are also used in some schools in Belgium and Sweden but were withdrawn from China and Hong Kong schools due to privacy concerns.

Ballard, M. "Halt to school fingerprinting", The Register, November 9, 2006.

[edit] Legislation governing the use of biometrics in schools

To date only two laws are in place to regulate children's use of biometric technology. These are in Illinois and Iowa.

Australia have a Biometric privacy Code that was adopted September 2006 but it does not specifically mention children.

Ireland has specific guidance on the use of biometrics in schools, colleges and other educational institutions.

"Biometrics in Schools, Colleges and other Educational Institutions", Data Protection Commissioner, 2007

[edit] References

  1. ^ Empreintes digitales pour les enfants d'une école de Londres (French)
  2. ^ Leave Them Kids Alone (English)
  3. ^ Empreintes digitales pour sécuriser l'école ? (French)
  4. ^ Le lecteur d'empreintes dans les écoles crée la polémique, 7 Sur 7, February 5, 2007 (French)
  5. ^ a b Fingerprinting of UK school kids causes outcry, The Register, July 22, 2002 (English)
  6. ^ Child fingerprint plan considered, BBC, March 4, 2007 (English)
  7. ^ Schools can fingerprint children without parental consent, The Register, September 7, 2006 (English)
  8. ^ Prises d'empreintes digitales dans un établissement scolaire, Question d'actualité à la Ministre-Présidente en charge de l'Enseignement obligatoire et de Promotion sociale (French)
  9. ^ a b Quand la biométrie s'installe dans les cantines au nez et à la barbe de la Cnil, Zdnet, September 9, 2003 (French)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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