Biometric Technology in Schools: Balancing Safety with Privacy
Biometric technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, from facial recognition on our smartphones to waving our hands to pay at the grocery store. However, the question arises: how can this innovative technology be effectively used in schools while ensuring the safety and privacy of students’ personal information?
A recent report released by the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) sheds light on the various types of biometric technology that can be utilized in educational institutions. The report emphasizes the importance of collecting and storing only a small amount of personal data necessary to complete educational tasks. Additionally, it highlights the significance of deleting any stored personal data once the assignment is completed, thereby prioritizing privacy.
The Lockport City School District in New York has already implemented a biometric system using closed-circuit cameras to measure and analyze the faces of individuals within their frames. The system then compares these images with known non-students to identify potential threats to the school. Any matches are reported to the district for further verification. Although only seven out of 212 participating schools currently utilize facial recognition technology for purposes such as staff attendance, other schools express interest in adopting this technology in the future, primarily driven by security concerns.
Fingerprint technology also presents itself as a potential solution in many schools throughout the state. Several educational institutions employ fingerprint scanning to monitor student attendance, facilitate lunch payments, or facilitate check-outs from the library. It is essential to note that the system utilized for fingerprint identification does not store an individual’s actual fingerprint, but rather a digitized version that represents their unique print.
To ensure accuracy and fairness, participating schools have the ability to request audits of the face recognition system’s false positive rates, broken down by factors such as race, gender, and age. Moreover, all New York State school districts are required to have a dedicated data protection officer who will be responsible for implementing necessary policies and procedures mandated by law.
Furthermore, schools are obligated to obtain written consent from parents and eligible students before disclosing any identifiable information to third parties, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Sharing student data with third parties necessitates the establishment of a contractual agreement to safeguard this information effectively. Schools employing biometric technology must provide data privacy agreements on their websites when engaging in contracts with third parties responsible for sharing personally identifiable information.
While the adoption of biometric technology in schools offers various benefits, including the ability to recognize students and staff, restrict unauthorized individuals from accessing school premises, and minimize fraud, concerns from stakeholders have also been raised. These concerns primarily revolve around privacy, potential data breaches, and the misallocation of funding.
The notion of balancing safety with privacy is of utmost importance when considering the implementation of biometric technology in schools. Striking the right equilibrium ensures that student information is safeguarded and utilized responsibly. By following the guidelines set forth by the New York State Office of Information Technology Services, educational institutions can make informed decisions regarding the integration of biometric technology, ensuring the well-being and privacy of their students.
