Serco ordered to cease utilizing facial recognition know-how to watch employees

Serco has been ordered to cease utilizing facial recognition know-how to watch its employees 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 had been unlawfully processing the biometric information of greater than 2,000 staff at 38 leisure amenities throughout the UK.

The watchdog stated facial recognition and fingerprint scanning had been routinely used to watch staff’ attendance after which the following fee for his or her time.

The ICO discovered the leisure centre operator failed to indicate why these strategies had been wanted over “less intrusive” means, reminiscent of ID playing cards, and employees weren’t supplied a transparent different.

It launched particulars of the case because it revealed new steering on corporations’ use of biometric information to bolster understanding of the technology and the place customers might fall foul.

John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, stated: “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 contemplate the dangers earlier than introducing biometric know-how to watch employees attendance, prioritising enterprise pursuits over its staff’ privateness.

“There is no clear way for staff to opt out of the system, increasing the power imbalance in the workplace and putting people in a position where they feel like they have to hand over their biometric data to work there.

“This is neither truthful nor proportionate below information safety legislation and, because the UK regulator, we’ll intently scrutinise organisations and act decisively if we consider biometric information is getting used unlawfully.”

A Serco Leisure spokesman stated: “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 workforce 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 know-how 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 critically and ensure we’ll absolutely adjust to the enforcement discover.”