THE SCHOOL IN POLAND WAS FINED PLN 20.000 BECAUSE OF THE PROCESSING OF BIOMETRIC DATA

09 March 2020

The President of the Personal Data Protection Office (“UODO”) in Poland fined the primary school on the ground of the processing of biometric data of children when using the school canteen.

The UODO found in the administrative proceedings that the school used a biometric reader at the entrance to the school canteen that identifies the children in order to verify the payment of the meal fee. Moreover, the school obtains the data and processes them on the basis of the written consent of the parents or legal guardians.

The UODO stated that the processing of biometric data is not essential for the school to identify child’s entitlement to receive lunch so that electronic card or the way of giving the name and contract number would be used which do not interfere so much in the child’s privacy.

Additionally, the UODO found the school’s lunch rules which get students who do not have biometric identification wait for the lunch until student with biometric identification enter the canteen, unequal treatment of students. It was stressed in the reason of the decision that children require special protection of personal data. Also, due to the unique and permanent character of biometric data, they should be used with due care.

In addition to fine, the UODO ordered the erasure of the personal data processed in the form of digital information on the specific fingerprints of the children and the cessation of any further collection of personal data.

You can read the press release here.

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Zumbul Attorneys-at-Law

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