UK ICO Rules on Dangers of Facial Tech in Workplaces

"The use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in the workplace has sparked debate over its legitimacy, particularly when it comes to monitoring employee attendance. A recent ruling by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has shed light on the issue, ruling that Serco Leisure must stop using FRT to track employee attendance due to a lack of lawful basis and excessive intrusiveness.

In February 2024, the ICO issued an enforcement notice against Serco Leisure, ordering the company to cease its use of FRT and fingerprint scanning across 38 leisure facilities. The investigation was prompted by an employee's complaint in 2019, which led to the discovery of the company's use of biometric data to monitor attendance.

Serco argued that FRT was necessary to eliminate buddy punching and falsified timecards, making it more accurate and secure than traditional methods. However, the ICO disagreed, citing the potential for distress and the imbalance of power in the employment relationship.

The ICO's ruling highlights the importance of considering the implications of FRT in the workplace. With the technology's increasing popularity, organizations must be mindful of the potential risks and ensure that they have a lawful basis for processing biometric data.

So, what does this mean for businesses? In short, companies must demonstrate a real necessity for FRT processing and ensure that no suitable alternative can achieve the same purpose. Policies surrounding the use of FRT must be clear and accessible to all parties involved, including employees.

 Information 

 The ICO is the UK's independent authority responsible for upholding information rights. The organization's primary goal is to promote transparency and accountability in the handling of personal data.

 Serco Leisure is a UK-based leisure company that operates a range of facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, and sports centers. The company is part of the Serco Group, a global services company that operates in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and defense.

"Q: What is facial recognition technology (FRT), and how is it used in the workplace?

A: FRT is a technology that uses facial recognition software to identify individuals. In the workplace, it can be used to monitor employee attendance and track working hours.

Q: Why did the ICO rule that Serco Leisure must stop using FRT?

A: The ICO ruled that Serco Leisure did not have a lawful basis for processing biometric data and that the use of FRT was excessive and intrusive.

Q: What are the implications of the ICO's ruling for businesses?

A: The ruling highlights the importance of considering the implications of FRT in the workplace and ensuring that companies have a lawful basis for processing biometric data.

Q: Can businesses still use FRT in the workplace?

A: Yes, but they must demonstrate a real necessity for FRT processing and ensure that no suitable alternative can achieve the same purpose.

Q: What are the potential risks of using FRT in the workplace?

A: The potential risks include distress to employees, imbalance of power in the employment relationship, and the potential for data breaches."