“ We ’re introduce Facial Recognition!”cheerily opensa flyer given to some parent in Scotland , trace a new method to pay for school luncheon . However , the move has sparked concerns about tike ’s privacy and data tribute .
Nine school in North Ayrshirehave introducedthe biometric payment system , reportedly with 65 more to stick to . The caller behind it , CRB Cunninghams , said in astatementthat “ Facial Recognition is a nimble , childlike identification method acting that allows pupils to select their meal , look at the camera and go , ” also claiming that the software works even when don a expression mask .
According to anFAQ sheet of paper : “ the software change state your child ’s forcible equipment characteristic into an encrypted ( using AES 256 ) string of characters experience as a guide . ” When a child looks into the camera , “ the software read fundamental feature article ( distance between facial features ) and compare this against the database of register user . ”
However , Professor Fraser Sampson , Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material and Surveillance Camera Commissioner , told theFinancial Timesthat “ If there is a less intrusive direction , that should be used . ”
Hygiene and clip - saving are why the engineering is being follow up , with the company stating that the method is only contactless and only take away five arcsecond .
“ It ’s the fast way of acknowledge someone at the till , " David Swanston , managing director of CRB Cunninghams , told the Financial Times . “ In a lower-ranking school day you have around about a 25 - instant period to serve potentially 1,000 pupils . So we need fast throughput at the point of cut-rate sale . ”
The FAQ sheet given to parents name and address privateness , saying that alongside the facial information being encrypt it will also be delete if a tike leaves the school or opts out of the system . Using a PIN is available as an alternate payment method .
TheInformation Commissioner’sOffice ( ICO ) – anindependent bodyto uphold data right in the UK – saysit will be gain out to North Ayrshire council concerning the facial credit requital arrangement .
