Encinitas Union School District to spend $189,000 on Creepy iPad facial recognition software

Remember when you were a kid and you would forget your locker combination at Oak Crest Jr High and the janitor would have to help you?

Well, now it's the 21st century, these days our kids are using iPads at school and at home.

My kids (age 5 and 7) use iPads at both home and school and they both know their 4 digit code to unlock them.

Read this astonishing story in the SDUT by Pat Maio

Parents up in arms over facial recognition software

excerpt:

The software — which uses biometric technology — scans the face of a student every 60 seconds, and automatically logs him or her into multiple programs. Officials say the technology could make iPad use easier for elementary school students who can’t remember passwords and would keep others from using the devices should they be stolen.

and,

Biometrics technology analyzes human body characteristics such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns, and hand measurements, for authentication purposes.

In March, the Encinitas district inked a $189,000 contract with Utah-based Virtual Keyring LLC to implement the program. District officials aren’t providing details on what it will involve, other than to say that it’s in a “proof of concept” phase, according to an email provided to the Union-Tribune by David Delacalazada, the district’s director of information technology.

Myself, I try not to be fearful and reactionary to new technology. I also avoid conspiracy freak outs that are so common on Facebook these days. 

 But, this one doesn't feel right. It's too much money just to be a lost password prevention. It's too weird. It feels like our kids are lab rats to Virtual Keyring LLC.

 One thing that bothers me, our local schools constantly hammer us for donations. Our schools are in non-stop fundraising mode, the pressure on parents and local businesses is relentless all year long. "Donate now are we lose the music and garden programs!" we hear constantly.

Now, we got a $189k program that scans our children's faces?

My new iPhone already uses biometric thumb print software, and it works great, and it's included with the phone!

Hey, there is a video to watch: From the article:

“From a security point of view, biometrics prevents misappropriation of technology on the iPads in the homes of students, and ensures that mom doesn’t use it for work, or dad or older brother watch porn or play video games,” said Kephart, a former counsel for the 9/11 Commission that looked into the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks

Wait, our school district needs a $189,000 contract so mom doesn't use the school iPad for work and dad doesn't use it for porn???
Do we have evidence of all these hardworking moms and kinky dads using their kid's school iPads???

Dear Superintendent Tim Baird and Virtual Keyring President, Rod Garlick,

Stop being weird and creepy. Explain yourselves thoroughly or quit now.   
In fact, just quit. 

Check out Virtual Keyring's website, it's full of creepy!
www.virtualkeyring.com