Back in 2006, Amey & Fujitsu introduced infrared palm scanning to a Scottish primary school, Todholm Primary school. However, infrared palm scanning technology never spread here in the UK and emerged in schools in the USA around 2011. After extensive Googling (yes I know I shouldn’t use it) I can see no companies here in the UK or Ireland selling infrared palm scanning technology for registration or otherwise.
“Almost 100 schools around the country, including 12 in Cork, are already using swipe card technology to record pupil attendance. However only six schools nationwide are using biometric scanning technology.”
“To be honest, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. This is a system that is already widely used across the country. In fact one supplier I spoke to said he is working with more than 100 schools“
Gathering biometrics from the population whether it be fingerprint or palm vein scanning is still reaping incredibly personal data about a person. With less data invasive methods around, using biometric technology in schools is completely unnecessary. If the argument being used (which this is in this case) is that swipe cards have a cost to replace, then use a pin system or password system instead. It could be argued that a swipe card’s ability to be lost actually teaches a child to look after the card/identity and that there are consequences if carelessly loosing it.
Mr Healy states that “there will be no data protection issues involved” and “says he’s been told they [infrared palm scans] don’t contravene data protection laws“. Mr Healy may well be right and that data gathering such personal information does indeed have the potential to be fine – but it also has the potential not to be fine if it falls in the wrong hands or abused.
After recent news about Prism, our society does not have a great track record of honesty regarding data collection, keeping data safe and secure or using it for good. Personally, I would refuse to use.
