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1. Introduction
1.1 This guidance is aimed primarily at education authorities, head teachers and their staff and parent councils. It is intended to provide education authorities, schools and parent councils with some of the basic information they need to know about biometric technology and its potential use within schools and some of the issues to be carefully considered before electing to put in place a biometric system. It also aims to provide some guidance as to good practice in implementing biometric systems within schools.
1.2 The decision to use biometric systems in schools is a decision for education authorities. This guidance is intended to assist education authorities in considering carefully the issues involved and, if they decide to opt for such a system, the good practice to be followed in implementing such systems. Key issues are whether the use of biometric data is proportionate (that is whether there is an identified need for this type of technology solution) and consideration of its potential impact for data subjects (see 8.1 below). The question of consent by users and their parents or guardians and the right to opt out without penalty, are also key issues.
1.3 The Information Commissioner has set out his view on the use of biometric technologies in schools and the statement can be accessed from the Information Commissioner's Office ( ICO) website at www.ico.gov.uk, together with the accompanying press release. The guidance also draws considerably on the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency ( BECTA) guidance on biometric technologies in schools, covering schools in England. We have also taken account of practice in some other jurisdictions.
1.4 Parents and carers may also find this guidance and the ICO's statement helpful in understanding what biometric technology is, its potential uses and what protections exist under legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998.
1.5 It should be noted that only general guidance is provided in relation to the Data Protection Act 1998. As they judge appropriate, education authorities will wish to seek their own legal advice on these matters.
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