UK School Reprimanded for Unlawful Facial Recognition Use

Chelmer Valley High School in Chelmsford, Essex, has been reprimanded by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for unlawfully installing facial recognition cameras in its canteen without conducting a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) or obtaining clear consent from students. The ICO highlighted that the school failed to assess the risks to children's personal information and did not consult with parents, students, or its data protection officer before implementing the technology. The school began using the facial recognition system in March 2023 for cashless payments, aiming to make the process quicker and more hygienic. Despite the potential benefits, the ICO stressed the importance of handling biometric data responsibly, especially when involving children. This incident follows similar privacy concerns raised in other schools across the UK, leading to increased scrutiny of facial recognition technology in educational settings.