UNBC students give thumbs down to fingerprint scanners
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
CBC News
Last Updated: Thursday, November 29, 2007 | 12:58 PM ET
New fingerprint scanners are now controlling access to the sports centre at the University of Northern B.C., and some students are calling that an invasion of privacy.
The university recently installed the RecTrac biometric scanning system made by an American company, but already more than 300 students have signed an online petition opposing it.
When the students swipe their finger on a special pad at the entrance to the facility, their fingerprint appears on a screen followed by their photo.
Graduate student Gabrielle Wint-Rose wasn’t sure why her gym needs such personal data, and said the invasiveness of the system should have been considered and students consulted before installing the system.
“It was a really shocking experience. It really wakes you up. You realize you walk into this facility and the only way to access is through finger scanning and all of sudden you’re in this moment where you have no choice. What do you do?” said Wint-Rose on Wednesday.