Leisure centres scrap biometric systems to keep tabs on staff amid UK data watchdog clampdown

Firms such as Serco and Virgin Active pull facial recognition and fingerprint scan systems used to monitor staff attendance

Dozens of companies including national leisure centre chains are reviewing or pulling facial recognition technology and fingerprint scanning used to monitor staff attendance after a clampdown by the UK’s data watchdog.

In February, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ordered a Serco subsidiary to stop using biometrics to monitor the attendance of staff at leisure centres it operates and also issued more stringent guidance on the use of facial recognition and fingerprint scanning.