WORRIED parents have expressed concerns over their child’s biometric data after Ysgol Eifionnydd installed thumbprint scanners to pay for school dinners.

The Porthmadog school has introduced a new cashless system where pupils now pay for their lunch by scanning their thumb.

Under the new system, a pupil’s unique thumbprint is linked to their account, which parents ensure is in credit, and items are paid for at the till with a scan of the thumb.

Four secondary schools in Gwynedd have signed up for the scheme with Gwynedd Council and Ysgol Eifionnydd bosses the new system is fairer and better for everyone.

However, a letter sent to the school, seen by the Cambrian News, shows that some parents are outraged with the new system.

“I wish to express my strong objection to the adoption of a catering payment system which makes the casual collection, storage, and use of the biometric data of minor children an institutional norm,” said the letter.

Gwynedd Council said a parents’ forum showed great support for the system, the data is encrypted in an enclosed system and parents can opt to be given a PIN instead.

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