European Commission Questions UK over Compulsory Fingerprinting in Schools

The European Commission has sent a letter to the UK government, asking it to justify why a lot of schools in the country are allowed to fingerprint children without parental approval.

Fingerprint-based technologies are becoming increasingly popular in UK educational institutions where they are used to automate payments at canteens or check out books from libraries.

According to recent studies, one in seven schools in the country (up to 3,500) has adopted compulsory fingerprinting for one reason or another.

The commission is concerned that such actions might violate European Union data protection and privacy legislation, which makes it clear that biometric data gathering efforts should be proportional with their stated goals.

Furthermore, EU directives state that people should have the possibility of opposing to and challenging such actions in court.

"We should be obliged if you could provide us with additional information both regarding the processing of the biometric data of minors in schools, with particular reference to the proportionality and necessity in the light of the legitimate aims sought to be achieved, and the issue concerning the availability of judicial redress," part of the letter sent to the UK government, reads, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The commission exemplifies with the case of a Scottish man, who's daughter was fingerprinted at school in order to receive an unique identification number, without his approval.

The man wanted to take the school to court, but couldn't because there is no legal basis for doing so. The UK data protection authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), told him the government recommends that schools ask parents for permission in such cases, but that there is no actual requirement in this sense.

"I am very pleased the European Commission is taking action. I believe the fingerprinting of children is a totally unnecessary infringement of civil liberties that could have far reaching implications," Hank Roberts, a member of the executive of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told the Telegraph.

"The legal situation must be looked at. This is being done surreptitiously without parents being told," he stressed.