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By Joey Gardiner, 22 July 2002 17:00

NEWS Serious concerns have been expressed today by privacy groups following the revelation that up to 200,000 UK school children have had their fingerprints digitally archived without their parents' consent. Around 1,000 schools have bought software from Cheshire-based MLS, which is used to manage the borrowing and return of library books based on fingerprints. Civil liberties group Privacy International said it is outraged by the news. Simon Davies, director of Privacy International, claimed the practice is illegal. He said: "Parents haven't given their consent to this action and children aren't in a position to give it. To use this technology for tracking down library books is totally disproportionate. "Ethically I find it abhorrent that people below the age of consent could be herded in front of these systems without even any evidence the systems help keep track of library books." Davies said the creation of digital fingerprint records would undoubtedly let the information be used for different purposes in the future, making the potential application of the information "limitless". MLS's own website implies it is looking to develop further school systems to control registration, attendance and security. The systems involve taking a thumbprint image from every schoolchild with the information then stored on computer. Similar systems are used in US prisons. Davies added he is deeply concerned that the systems had apparently been endorsed by the Information Commission (IC). MLS's website displays a letter from the IC which gives the product a green light, despite the admission the information could be used for law enforcement purposes. He said: "The fact that this is being OK'ed is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. You have to question the people who are supposed to be enforcing the Data Protection Act when this goes on." The IC could not provide anyone to comment on the issue. A spokeswoman for the Department for Education and Skills said the government is not interested in looking in to the matter. "This is a matter for the school heads and governing bodies to decide if it is proper. They must ensure their actions comply with the law. "We're not that concerned about this as it's not an issue for the department."