Father Bans School From Fingerprinting Daughter

A father has refused permission for his daughter's Oxford school to take her fingerprints - fearing it is step towards a 'Big Brother' state. Ben Emlyn-Jones's daughter Louisa, 12, attends St Gregory the Great School in Cowley - which is planning to use fingerprint recognition software in its library.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Windale Primary School, Glory Farm Primary School, Matthew Arnold Secondary School and The Cherwell School currently use fingerprint systems in libraries and Cheney School uses the technology to register pupils.

Mr Emlyn-Jones said: "I am really quite disturbed about it, it reminds me of a Big Brother state.

"There may be advantages in having a fingerprint database, but the price you pay is too high."

He refused to allow his daughter's fingerprints to be taken and was also concerned that the school had not contacted parents.

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