Leisure firm told scanning staff faces is illegal

A leisure firm in the UK has been told that using facial recognition technology to scan the faces of its staff is illegal. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ruled that the firm breached data protection laws by processing biometric data without appropriate safeguards in place.

The firm had implemented the facial recognition system as a way to monitor staff attendance and performance, but the ICO found that the technology was intrusive and unnecessary. The firm has been ordered to cease using the system and to delete any data collected from staff members.

This case serves as a reminder that businesses must be careful when implementing biometric technology, as it can easily infringe on the privacy and rights of individuals. It is important for companies to ensure that they have the proper consent and safeguards in place before using such technology.

Overall, this ruling highlights the importance of respecting the privacy and rights of employees, even in the pursuit of operational efficiency and security.