Biometric finger printing

[CuriousMama]

Does your dc's school do this? I only found out this morning that ds2 (yr7) does this to get his lunch. I didn't sign anything to agree to it. DS1 is yr 10 and refuses to do it but I imagine he'll get encouraged forced to do it? He doesn't get library books out and takes in his lunch so hasn't been made to yet.

In theory I think it's a good idea as dcs can put cash into the system and they don't have to take it in all week. And getting library books etc. out is quick. But it does smack of big brother.

Poor ds2 this morning. I gave him £5 yesterday. He only buys a wrap for £1.30 as he takes juice and snacks in. He asked me for some cash this morning and I said he should have money left? He said it doesn't give him change. I said what doesn't give him change? It sounded so futuristic. I went off it as can't afford to lose that sort of cash. Not off it with ds2 but the school. Then ds1 told me it holds the cash and he just has to put his fingerprint on it to get food. Then we top up the amount.

Ours does but we have to sign to agree and when they had their "moving up" day fingers prints etc were taken then. We were given all the "parentpay" details and you can also top up at "pay points" in the town but you should have been made aware of this long before now!

They sent us the form for it but I didn't like the sound of it. I meant to ask on here but forgot I didn't sign anything? Am wondering if exdh has as he had to do one of the parent evenings?

We have it. It's fine, and avoids DS forgetting his lunch, his cash, or his catering card, all of which we've struggled with before now. He can't forget his finger, so problem solved except when I forget to put any cash on it

Lancelottie I am always getting frantic calls from the DDs saying they need topping up! But I do think they should remind me the night before - not the morning after they couldn't get their break snack!! CuriousMama I would ring the school if I were you. They definitely shouldn't be doing it without someone signing, especially if you didn't particularly want him doing it!

DS seems to go for wistful, half-starved stares at the admin ladies, the nicer girls in his form or his form tutor. Someone usually at least offers him a Kitkat.

My dd's school has the same system. It's quick and convenient. Means children don't need to carry any cash with them as I can load her account at home with my debit card.

Yes, it uses her fingerprint but this is not shared with anyone and will be destroyed when she leaves school. I can't remember signing anything and it doesn't concern me if I didn't.

To me it's just a way of paying for food. Nothing more sinister than that

We refused to let our DSs do biometric fingerprinting.

The school gives them a card if parents refuse to sign the form.

Its only a matter of time before biometric fingerprint technology is used as a blanket ID. In fact, I heard it was deliberately introduced into schools to get kids conditioned to sticking their finger into a scanner and never question it.

Yes I know the machine doesn't store their actual finger print. Did you also know that you can make a latex finger print out of a real one, feed it into a scanner and seach the database for the name that matches?

Its only a matter of time.

Like Lancelottie, a finger is the only thing I can rely on DS not losing. And if he did, I'd have more to worry about than any imagined state surveillance.

They did this at DS1's previous Secondary. I don't see a problem. They pay cash at his new school.

My DD's school uses it but we were asked for written consent way back . DD's school has two fingers n file for each kid (in case they cut one off in food technology ?? Haha , no I think it's just in case one doesn't work one day). She likes it and I think parents can log onto some schoolwebsite to check on what they'v been buying I anyone can be bothered).

It's very convenient. No forgetting packed lunch or lost cash. I top up online.

Here's a link to what the ICO says about this including respecting the need for consent and the right not to opt in.

The integrity of such systems is dependent on the school's overall cyber security and data protection systems. I read something recently pointing out that far too many UK schools were found lacking in these areas.

Item I was thinking of about inadequate security on pupil personal data.

We have it at DS secondary school - perfect one less thing for him to loose.

We had a consent to form to sign which outlined all the frequency asked questions including security for the encrypted data.

If you opt out of the biometric method then you can have a card or pin number.

As someone else as said nothing sinister in it but I believe they do need parental consent before taking the fingerprint.

Also the school will not accept cash at all which I think is great - if bullying should occur at least they will not be fleecing some child for money.

I think its WONDERFUL
and would NEVER humiliate my children by making them the ones who could lose a card.
And frankly knowing that my children eat junk left to their own devices does not take data hacking to work out.

DSs school has this system, and I love it. I just top up on line once a month.

If he forgets his lunch I know he won't starve, but the best bit is I can check on line what he has eaten. For example, I know that he's had a "round pizza", and Appletise at break and a chocolate cookie to supplement his packed lunch at lunch time. It's a control freak mothers dream.

I also like paying online for school trips/music lessons. It means I don't have to worry about running out of cheques, and the money is out of my account immediately, rather than being surprised by a a cheque being cashed two months later.

Morebeta - normally I think your posts are sensible but not today - do you really think that fingerprint recognition in schools is part of a Big Brother type conspiricy?

I'm sure the school will have a contingency for people who don't want to participate.

Can't wait for our school to introduce this.

It's one finger print, not them all, it stores a fraction of the info, not the whole print.

2Did you also know that you can make a latex finger print out of a real one, feed it into a scanner and seach the database for the name that matches?"

Yes, I did. Which is why eye recognition will be more popular as it will be harder to forge. But then people with have their eye balls ripped by villains wanting to access their workplace/bank account. AHHHHHHH!!!!!
(I've watched too many gory films )

It's not so much creeping Big Brother that worries me, it is what was found about schools inadequacies in data security (see link above).

that link is about the "policy" not the implementation
and what is your worry about lunchtime habits?

I just found out today that dd who's just started Yr 7 has to use her fingerprint to get library books.

They have a cashless card system sQuid that I've set to auto top up when it falls below a certain amount.

Did you also know that you can make a latex finger print out of a real one, feed it into a scanner and seach the database for the name that matches?

Yes, I saw that James Bond movie as well MoreBeta!

We have this system and I really like it - I can see what they have eaten, pay for everything without having to write cheques/send in cash, and for those who forget to top up, you can arrange to have text or email reminders when the balance gets low. We did have to sign a consent form.