The National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) has determined the immediate halt to the use of facial biometrics for recording student attendance in the public education network of the state of Paraná. This determination was issued on Tuesday (04/05).
The National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) has determined the immediate halt to the use of facial biometrics for recording student attendance in the public education network of the state of Paraná. This determination was issued on Tuesday (04/05).
Since 2021, a tool called Escola Paraná Biometria has been used by educators to count student attendance with the help of artificial intelligence.
According to reports from the Núcleo website, the ANPD's Inspection Superintendence concluded that the state government failed to provide valid legal justification for implementing large-scale facial recognition in educational institutions. The agency characterized this practice as excessive, unnecessary, and disproportionate to the objective of merely taking attendance.
Process data indicates that the system, which operates based on an algorithm developed by the European company Innovatrics, was active in 2,136 educational establishments, covering over one hundred thousand employees and approximately one million students.
For the ANPD, the state government failed to demonstrate the actual necessity of using facial biometrics for school roll call purposes. Although the secretariat claimed the system would reduce classroom time, the agency highlighted the absence of studies proving that such a benefit had been concretely been achieved.
Additionally, the regulatory body demanded a more detailed analysis of the impacts of this technology on the rights of children and adolescents. It is important to note that biometric data is classified as sensitive under Brazilian legislation, which imposes a high level of caution in its handling, especially when dealing with minors.
The decision also points out that Seed-PR had not presented updated data in the Personal Data Protection Impact Report (RIPD), a document used to measure the risks of projects involving personal data. Furthermore, a lack of clarity regarding the method of storage and access control to images was noted, according to Núcleo.
Although the ANPD's measure is preventive in nature and may be challenged by the Paraná government through an administrative appeal, the suspension takes effect immediately. The case has been forwarded to the ANPD's General Sanction Coordination, which will analyze the possibility of initiating an administrative sanctioning process. The agency also communicated the information to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paraná (MPPR).
A survey conducted by InternetLab, mentioned in the article, revealed that at least six other states are using or testing similar technologies in their networks, including Alagoas, Amazonas, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Tocantins.
Davron Zulkhaidarovich Dustov successfully defended his dissertation, which corresponds to the level of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in pedagogical sciences.
The topic of his work was dedicated to developing management technologies for the development of the methodological activities of the deputy director of a preschool educational institution.
Nigora Shorakibovna Khidoyatova successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in economic sciences. The topic of her research was the development of innovative methods for strategic planning and optimal placement of population agglomerations in the region, using an example from the Karadarinsk region.
Student protests continue at the Jai Pal Singh sports stadium in Rachi. Students have been at the site for fifteen days. Although the negotiation process with the government has begun, student dissatisfaction has not subsided.
In this regard, students announced plans to storm the legislative assembly building on August 10th. The question arises whether the Sorena government will be able to meet the demands of the protesters.
