Tim Wright's objector may well answer for himself, but I would suggest that Martin Hoskins looks at the first data protection principle, that refers to fair processing.
Either employees consent to the processing or it is imposed on them, and it can only be imposed on them by the threat of dismissal. Fair processing?
I would consider it quite legitimate to be concerned about giving fingerprints. The scanning process converts the print into a digital record which is then susceptible to being processed like any other data (which includes disclosure to whoever) and the employee should be given cast-iron guarantees as to how the information would be used. If the employer, like One2one, "in almost everything....doesn't need to get an individual's consent to process their data.." because ".. the processing is necessary for the legitimate interests persued (sic) by the data controller" (I refer to earlier messages), employees would have reason for concern.
Leif
>>> Martin Hoskins <[log in to unmask]> 11/15 9:57 am >>>
Please ask your objector to point to the part of the Act that REQUIRES
consent for the collection of fingerprints for this purpose. I suggest that
it is within your legitimate interests to process such data for the limited
purposes you describe!
Regards
Martin
-----Original Message-----
From: Wright, Tim M. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 November 2000 09:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fingerprints!
A company of my acquaintance is considering the use of fingerprint scanners
for door and workstation security (doing away with the necessity for swipe
cards and remembering passwords, PINs etc). An objection has been raised
that in order for this to be legitimate, the agreement of every employee
must be obtained first. I can't help but feel this is nonsense. There's no
denying that fingerprint info is personal data, but provided it's only used
for company security purposes I can't see any issues beyond the usual secure
storage, not using it for junk marketing (!) etc etc.
Can anyone else?
Tim
--
Tim M. Wright
Director - Technology Audit
Charles Schwab Europe
Tel: +44 190 852 7793
Mobile: +44 7932 669 074
Fax: +44 190 852 7593
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