UK School Replaces Library Cards for Kids with Fingerprint Scans

Fingerprints They've been used in security schemes forever, but now UK schools are scanning the 'prints of kids as young as four in order to check out library books. Vince Alongi

We already know that biometrics could provide some useful new tools for identifying approaching threats or tracking people moving through crowds. But what about checking out books from a children’s library? A Manchester UK primary school is testing out just such a scheme, having children as young as four years old scan their fingerprints as ID for checking books in and out of the school’s library.

Not surprisingly, parents and privacy groups have a huge problem with children's biometric data being so cataloged --not to mention the precedent it sets.

To check out a book, students swipe a bar code placed inside the book at a computer station, which then asks for them to press their thumb on a fingerprint scanner. Books are checked back into the library the same way: no library card or identification required. School officials say the fingerprints are converted to and saved as digital electronic codes that are recognized by the computer, so that no actual fingerprint images are kept on file or shared.

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Technology, Clay Dillow, biometric fingerprint, biometrics, education, fingerprint reader, security, uk

But the library system is purely voluntary, and parents are allowed to opt their kids in or out. The system does perhaps treat biometrics a bit lightly, but, given the way technology is moving, things like iris and fingerprint scans will likely become a far more prevalent form of ID for everything from credit card purchases to withdrawals at the ATM in coming decades.

When you think about the fact that we have a permanently manned space station and the Internet, using plastic cards with pictures on them to officially identify ourselves seems a bit archaic. Biometrics are more efficient and safer than a PIN, and unlike a magnetic card, a fingerprint can’t be easily stolen or duplicated. So maybe this is just a sign of the times, even if four years of age is perhaps a bit early to be an early adopter.

[Telegraph via Slashdot]