Home > Ask Our Experts > Are Biometric Cards For Children's Dinner Payments Ethical?

Are Biometric Cards For Children's Dinner Payments Ethical?

By: Garry Crystal - Updated: 1 Nov 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
Biometric Cards School Dinners Data

Q.

My local school is implementing biometric cards for children in order to make payments for school dinners, (in the newsletter received I am told several schools have already adopted this system). If they refuse they then will not have access to food at school.

This will involve taking my child's finger print to put on the card - something I am not happy with. Is this an infringment of her rights as the only other time your prints are required is if you are a criminal suspect.. or for work security.

Please can you advise me on this as it will start soon and I feel all parents should at least question this.

(P.W, 11 March 2009)

A.

There has been much controversy over biometric cards and the use of this technology in schools. The biometric technology scans fingerprints and is used for identification and data gathering. This technology has been used in schools in recent years to access services such as libraries and gaining access to school buildings. Biometric cards used in dinner situations known as the cashless school dinner system has come under fire from both parents and MPs. As far back as 2007 the government warned schools that the policy of 'no fingerprints, no food' could actually be illegal.

Parental Permission

The question of parental permission and biometric cards has also been under dispute since the system was introduced. According to the educational technology agency Becta, the Data Protection Act stipulates that there is no actual specific need to seek permission. Pupils should be told that the system is being used and if the pupil is too young to understand then parents should be informed.

Becta has advised schools that parents should be kept informed as much as possible. Under the rules of the Human Rights Act the gathering of pupil’s personal data can be justified if it is in the school’s interests.

Opting Out of the Biometric Card System

If parents do refuse to give permission for their children to use the system then an alternative lunch should be provided. However, the Department for Education and Skills has stated that the alternative lunch system will be up to the schools to decide. Some schools have provided an alternative such as paying for food and others have simply left the alternative as packed lunches.

Biometric Controversy

Issues surrounding the biometric cards include identity theft, privacy issues and the fact that some schools are not consulting parents when introducing the system. Schools have insisted that no records of fingerprints will be kept and it is a way to keep an eye on what children are eating every day. It is also claimed that the biometric system will help remove the stigma associated with free school dinners. However, parents have formed groups around the country to protest against what they see as an invasion of their children’s rights.

Implementing Biometric Systems

At the moment it seems that schools can implement these systems without parent’s permission, although parents can refuse to allow their children to use the system. Much has been said over the government introducing biometric systems whenever and wherever they can. Alternatives that could have been used in schools for cashless dinner systems do include smart cards where no fingerprints are needed.

Under the Data Protection Act all data must be held securely and be kept for no longer than necessary. Parents should be aware that schools are the 'data controllers' and it is up to the schools to decide the purpose of the data and how it is processed. Parents who are concerned can find more information on the school dinner biometric system at the website Leave Them Kids Alone.

Interested in Branding, a Website or Graphic Design?

You can receieve an elegantly built, fully customised website that generates enquiries for just £399, merchandise design from £59, or illustrations from just £35, all unique to you and your brand. Check us out here.

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
Hi. The TruthTeller from England UK. And the following is some disturbing facts on UK Biometric Data. 1: Biometric Data abuse by the DWP . The DWP ( Department for Work and Pensions )( or nicknamed, Department of Wicked People) is a Crown Govenment Body that's responsible for paying Welfare Benefits. Unfortunately , being a Crown Govenment Body, means it's GARANTEED,to commitbreaches of Human Rights, against the very People it's supposed to be helping! And the following is an example of such: During 2019 -2022 years, the DWP introduced/forced , Biometric Signing on it Claimants. It was controversial and illegal. Despite the DWP publicly stating Claimants didn't have to comply, in reality Clamants had No choice in the matter- thePaper Signing pad had been removed and those who wouldn't sign Biometric ,wouldn't get Paid or had their Benefits 'Suspend. The Biometric Pad ,stored Bio Data on how the Person wrote, pressure, style,etc. Writing on the Pad was difficult- like writing on Ice or Wet Glass. The Person had 4-5 chances to get it write- for the Bio Signature to match an Hardcopy Signature stored in the System. If after 4-5 attemptsthe Bio Signature didn't match, Claimants would have to arrange an appointment with a Adjudication Office and be cautioned under Criminal Law! And Unfortunately ,there was this- just like the Post Office Horizon Computer scandal -there was a problem with the Computer System,it on average didn't recognise the Biometric Signature with that of the Hardcopy Signature of he Claimant. Hence why it kept failing,even after 4-5 attempts. And indeed after the Covid Lockdown had cleared and the DWP/Jobcentre Offices had re opened, the DWP stopped using the Biometric System. The DWP/Job Centre Staff didn't like it. The DWP had claimed it introduced Biometric Signing to counter Fraud. It that was the true reason,then why not continue with it? Iron out the computer problems and continue with it. If of course ,the REAL reason was to counter Fraud. Thoughthe controversy didn't end there. It beileved that the Biometric Data was passed on to Britain's Secret Service- MI5 and the Police. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, was the real reason for the Biometric Signature, to counter Fraud? I don't think so . The real reason was most likely because Benefits Claimants were an easy Target to exploit to get easy Bio Metric Data from. No Legal Aid to challenge the DWP. Claimants on the breadline of Poverty- can't afford their Benefits to be Suspended, when they need Money for Food and to keep a Roof over their Heads.
TheTruthTeller - 1-Nov-24 @ 3:40 AM
Help! - Your Question:
Help ASAP!Is it legal or illegal for a police officer to say to you. If you come to the station or allow me to drive you to the station you have nothing to worry about we are not going to arrest you, or detain you and you don't need a lawyer?Do you have any official papers, codes of conduct or laws police are expected to abide by?Thank,Glenn

Our Response:
You've not given details of the circumstances or why the police wanted to take you to the station so the best we can provide you with is the government information relating to the police guidelines PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act)
CivilRightsMovement - 10-Nov-16 @ 11:42 AM
Help ASAP! Is it legal or illegal for a police officer to say to you. If you come to the station or allow me to drive you to the station you have nothing to worry about we are not going to arrest you, or detain you and you don't need a lawyer? Do you have any official papers, codes of conduct or laws police are expected to abide by? Thank, Glenn
Help! - 9-Nov-16 @ 2:31 PM
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice...
Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments