Biometric ID in Schools?

[catso]

My 12 yr old son has brought home a letter from school asking us to give permission for him to use a Biometric ID system for Library books;

"Dear Parent

Micro Librarian Systems - Eclipse

We have recently undergone an upgrade of our automated library system which now allows pupils to borrow books from the library at the touch of a button!

The new software has been developed by Micro Librarian Systems, and is connected to a small touch-pad which is able to recognise skin patterns. The touch-pad translates these into a mathematical template. It is this template which is stored on the computer and also serves as the pupil's membership identification. Further information can be found at www.microlib.co.uk

We would like to ask your permission to use this technology for membership identification of your child. Could you please complete the reply slip below and return it to the school as soon as possible.

A barcode will be supplied for those pupils not wishing to using this method of identification."


Biometric ID from an early age using the library as a way of 'assimilating' all the kids = full biometric info on everyone within a generation.

Comments anyone?

[jimothy]

Sounds like a pointless waste of school funds to me...

If they're keeping the barcode based system anyways, what is the point of having the new system?

[bga]

IMO I don't think it's as cynical as assimilation - knowing how DfES IT works, there is no way they could get co-ordinated enough to roll something like that out in a structured & planned manner. It could be a fun piece of technology for the kids - biometric stuff can be pretty interesting if you are a geek

[timmy30]

jimothy said:

Sounds like a pointless waste of school funds to me... If they're keeping the barcode based system anyways, what is the point of having the new system?

Yes surely it's cheaper and easier to barcode the children and just swipe em in and out?

[Parrot of doom]

I'd say no - just me being suspicious and slightly old fashioned. There should be a human being checking those books out, not a computer.

[scorp]

Would now be a good time to buy shares in biometric ID companies?

[randlemarcus]

Sounds like a great way of proving luddite tendencies, and saying no, we'll take the abrcode option - until they start charging a fiver for a lost library card, whereas the fingerprint/skin conductivity stuff sounds like a reasonable effort at making someones life easier rather than just for technologies sake.

On a similar subject, doesnt one of the new sport hatches (Vauxhall?) have a skin conductivity sensor to hide the key in? IIRC it only opens if you are really excited about driving the car

[ultimasimon]

bga said:

IMO I don't think it's as cynical as assimilation - knowing how DfES IT works, there is no way they could get co-ordinated enough to roll something like that out in a structured & planned manner. It could be a fun piece of technology for the kids - biometric stuff can be pretty interesting if you are a geek

Speaking as a geek...

We sell these systems and sadly enough they are the future. No more worrying about stolen identitiy, copied PIN's or fraululent paperwork.

I too was very cynical and watched the whole security industry with interest for a couple of years wondering whether or not they would accept this new technology - and they have.

As much as think its all getting too big brother I now accept the pace that technology is moving at and I am powerless to stop it. May just as well go along with it.

scorp said:

Would now be a good time to buy shares in biometric ID companies?

If anyone is interested in some info here is as good a place as any for all your concerns etc.

edited for brokenlink and to add another one here

>> Edited by ultimasimon on Friday 4th November 11:18