Serco has been ordered to cease utilizing facial recognition expertise to observe its workers for “prioritising business interests over its employees’ privacy”.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) discovered {that a} division of the outsourcing firm, Serco Leisure, and neighborhood leisure trusts have been unlawfully processing the biometric information of greater than 2,000 workers at 38 leisure services throughout the UK.
The watchdog mentioned that facial recognition and fingerprint scanning have been routinely used to observe staff’ attendance after which the next cost for his or her time.
The ICO discovered that the leisure centre operator failed to point out why these strategies have been wanted over “less intrusive” means, corresponding to ID playing cards, and that workers weren’t provided a transparent various.
It launched particulars of the case because it revealed new steering on corporations’ use of biometric information to bolster understanding of the expertise and the place customers may fall foul.
John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, mentioned: “Biometric data is wholly unique to a person so the risks of harm in the event of inaccuracies or a security breach are much greater – you can’t reset someone’s face or fingerprint like you can reset a password.
“Serco Leisure didn’t absolutely take into account the dangers earlier than introducing biometric expertise to observe workers attendance, prioritising enterprise pursuits over its workers’ privateness.
“There isn’t any clear method for workers to decide out of the system, growing the facility imbalance within the office and placing folks ready the place they really feel like they’ve at hand over their biometric information to work there.
“This is neither fair nor proportionate under data protection law and, as the UK regulator, we will closely scrutinise organisations and act decisively if we believe biometric data is being used unlawfully.”
A Serco Leisure spokesman responded: “This technology was introduced at the leisure centres we manage nearly five years ago to make clocking-in and out easier and simpler for colleagues.
“We engaged with our crew members upfront of its rollout and its introduction was well-received by colleagues.
“The introduction also followed external legal advice which said use of the technology was permitted.
“Despite being conscious of Serco Leisure’s use of this expertise for some years, the ICO have solely this week issued an enforcement discover and requested that we take motion.
“We now understand this coincides with the publication of new guidance for organisations on processing of biometric data which we anticipate will provide greater clarity in this area.
“We take this matter severely and ensure we’ll absolutely adjust to the enforcement discover.”
Source: information.sky.com”