Parents up in arms over facial recognition software
Critics of the program say it is wasteful spending and does little to allay their concerns over privacy. They also said it’s an unnecessary expense when schools are cutting music, arts and other programs.
For sure, Encinitas is charting new territory with the program, according to experts.
Janice Kephart, chief executive officer of the Secure Identity & Biometrics Association, a Washington, D.C.-based trade group looking out for the interests of the biometrics industry, said she isn’t aware of any other school district in the United States using biometrics for iPad authentication.
“From a security point of view, biometrics prevents misappropriation of technology on the iPads in the homes of students, and ensures that mom doesn’t use it for work, or dad or older brother watch porn or play video games,” said Kephart, a former counsel for the 9/11 Commission that looked into the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Kephart said biometrics first made its way into public schools in 2009 when West Virginia implemented a fingerprint-scan for students participating in the state’s federally subsidized school lunch program. Schools highly dependent on federal dollars had been unable to Encinitas parents are upset over facial recognition software on school-issued iPads. Page 2 of 2 | UTSanDiego.com: