Biometric id check on scots schoolchildren as young as four

[TriWooOx]

Quote:DOZENS of Scottish schools have introduced “intrusive” biometric systems, such as fingerprinting, to identify pupils as young as four.

New figures show 68 schools are now using technology to manage meals, control library books and even allow access to toilets.

Almost two-thirds are primaries, where fingerprinting and palm recognition can be used to identify young children.
And another 10 schools in Midlothian have the capability for biometric ID but are not yet using it.

Yesterday, critics said the extent which the technology was being used in Scotland’s schools was “worrying”.

Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown, who uncovered the figures through Freedom of Information
legislation, said: “If the vast majority of Scotland’s schools can let children move round the premises and pay for their lunch without biometric identification, it is difficult to see why it is necessary for these 68 schools. Public bodies have shown in the past that they are not always to be trusted with sensitive personal data.

“Do we really want this sort of intrusive information taken from young children?”

Mr Brown said the use of technology in classrooms also risked ID cards being introduced through the “backdoor”.
He added: “The data seems to be used for trivial matters, such as access to libraries and paying for meals.”

Angus Council has the greatest number of schools using the technology, with biometric ID systems in use for cashless catering in four primary and eight secondary schools.

In one West Lothian secondary school there is a “hand pad system” in place for primary school pupils housed there temporarily to gain use of the toilets.

Records of fingerprints are not kept, but if palm recognition is used an image can be encrypted and stored. Michael Parker, of anti-identity card campaigners NO2ID, said: “It is quite unreasonable to construct a system whereby children of a very young age are being regularly indoctrinated into the idea that they must constantly prove who they are.

“What studies have demonstrated that these extravagant and, no doubt, very expensive schemes are any better than paper and card records?”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said the percentage of schools using biometrics was “tiny” – less than three per cent.

He added: “The decision on whether or not to use biometric identification in schools is ultimately one for education authorities, but decisions must reflect Scottish Government guidance. It is clear that schools should be very cautious about such an approach.

“Our guidance recommends that any local authority or school seeking to introduce them should consult parents at the relevant school, seek consent and allow opt-outs.”

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/2197...choolchild

[pax681]

Being from Scotland this isn't news to me.
however you'll find it's "mostly" in Labour council areas and that the lib dem has a bloody cheek. and Oddly the place here, Angus, with most usage is a Conservative local council mostly(bit of a coalition with the lib dems there too)
not that i am excusing this at all however.. a wee bit of background......
...
no money needed for the kids to take for lunch money..... this lessens the chance of people being bullied for their lunch money

the pad for the toilet... again... strange as it sounds... labour councils and the last labour govt have a utter erection for private outsourcing to the point now where the janitorial staff are being outsourced to a large(HUGE) French company.
now unlike before when janitors were the handymen of legend in schools... not now..
they are there to
1/ open up
2/ sort halls for assembly/hall hires
3 close up
ALL other stuff now gets billed "PER ITEM"
by per item i mean... for example as was given to me by a friend who IS a janitor at an Edinburgh School....
someone draws on the desk in pencil.
the janitor gets called and where-as previously he would have cleaned it.... job done....
NOT NOW - it's a £25 bill to clean it.
a door gets defaced/written on/ damaged in ANY way... then it's down as "vandalism", at LEAST another £25 bill.
thus.. the toilets being pretty much the most abused section that they CANNOT pout cameras in.. then they out the pad scanners in so they can tell who was in last to break the stalls.....(yeah i know that a bully could get a weaker child to scan their hands...)

NOW, as i said, i am in no way excusing or providing any apologies for this shitty system.
At least at the school where my kids go, we can opt out of the finger scan nonsense.
my kids get a little magnetic card for the lunch line and for the library.
very simple opt out.
TBH it all depends on how strong your PTA is and if someone is there at those meeting to bring up privacy concerns over matters like these.
i am right on top of it on that score.

to be honest though.... LOL finger print scanners are so easy to beat it's funny.
all you need..
a copy of a finger print etched in latex, lick it to simulate sweat... job done
a gel copy of it.. lick again
a PAPER copy! again.. lick that puppy to simulate seat and job done.
here is a pdf with some how to's
there is another method.. in which you cool down the scanner a LOT..lol
but i'll leave that for you to google..lol