Fingerprinting

The Stig · **Posted:** Sat, 24 May 2008 14:46:49 +0000

Just sent this to child's school, should make interesting reading for them!

My wife and myself read with interest in the latest issue of the News Guardian, that the school has implemented a finger printing scheme for the payment in the school canteen. In the newspaper article, it was reported that parents had no concerns on the implementation of the system and that we were fully consulted. We beg to differ, we had no notice of this system being introduced or how the data would be protected and possibly shared.

Therefore, we am requesting that our child, xxxxxxxx, details are removed from the system and that no attempt be made to collect any further details, either temporarily or permanent, of any biometric or fingerprint information/data by any employee, teacher, representative of any statutory authority or contractor, for any purpose or circumstances, without our written and/or signed consent and that the education or other services to which you are contractually obliged, will in no way be compromised by this refusal.

We would also like assurances that the guidelines issued by the Schools Minister Jim Knight are being followed and that the school are, and we quote the Schools Minister, “should offer the child the right to opt out and if they did then the pupil should not be denied access to any facility that fingerprints are used to obtain.”.

To ensure our request is being fully met, we hereby give notice under the Data Protection Act 1998, we request a full copy of all information that the school hold on my daughter.

Nothing in this notice affects our statutory rights, and we reserve such rights at law should these terms be contravened.

capnbob · **Posted:** Sat, 24 May 2008 15:14:55 +0000

Brilliant letter. Worth making a stir in the newspaper too? After all, they have credulously printed a blatant lie that needs publicly correcting...

Trevor · **Joined:** Sat, 02 Apr 2005 17:48:48 +0000 **Posts:** 587

would replace the 'requesting' with 'demand' IMO...!

Folland · **Joined:** Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:21:53 +0000 **Posts:** 79

Having read the article in the News Guardian, I was most depressed, same old script as per usual.

Quote:

No concerns have been expressed by our parents and they want to support something which they believe is in the best interests of our young people,".

"The concept of 'Big Brother' is not there – we are using this technology to help the young people.

Keep this Forum posted Stig, it will be interesting to see what the school's reaction will be. Be prepared for them to throw their toys out of the pram and start denying your child school dinners, library books and school trips, this has already happened elsewhere.

Guest · **Posted:** Sun, 25 May 2008 00:23:07 +0000

http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-ne ... 4111513.jp

Guest · **Posted:** Tue, 27 May 2008 13:53:19 +0000

One down, thousands to go .......

Quote:

Thank you for your e-mail dated 24th May. I am sorry you feel you have not been consulted on this new system we are installing. I can assure you we posted out information before the Easter holiday asking for comments.

I can assure you the system is not recording a finger print image but a numeric code that cannot be used to reproduce the finger print pattern. The data is not being shared with any other party.

I completely respect your decision and will remove your daughter's bioprint from the system and issue her with a card. This will provide her with the same access that other children have.

Should you wish to change your mind or discuss this further with me please do not hesitate to contact me.

At the start of next half term I will print out and send to you the personal data we hold on your daughter in line with your request.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue, 27 May 2008 15:15:48 +0000

Forgot to mention that I also sent off email to editor of newspaper that reported the introduction to follow up and perhaps print a form for others to opt out.

BigEars · **Posted:** Tue, 27 May 2008 16:33:53 +0000

Quote:

I completely respect your decision and will remove your daughter's bioprint from the system and issue her with a card. This will provide her with the same access that other children have.

...so the low-tech solution still works? In which case, why did they decide to spend thousands on hi-tech? :roll:

mb

rainbow · **Posted:** Thu, 29 May 2008 23:20:04 +0000

They dont decide though do they?

They get the sales pitch and then spend too much money to then trash the system.....

NO2ID

Fingerprinting

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