Revellers at a Dundee nightclub are being fingerprinted on entry so the information can be used as ID.
The Underground on South Tay Street has installed a new scanner which uses fingerprint technology to verify the identity and age of patrons.
The first time they use the scanner, clubbers are asked to provide a fingerprint and proper identification. Next time they visit the club they do not need to carry any identification as a scan of their fingerprints will allow staff to check their age against the record on the club’s database.
The system also means trouble-makers can be flagged up on the system if they try to get back into the club at a later date.
The technology was introduced in several clubs and pubs in Glasgow last year but civil liberties groups claim it is wrong for nightclubs to store the personal information of their customers.
Guy Herbert, chairman of campaign group NO2ID, said people should have serious concerns about how much personal information they are being asked to hand over.
He said: ”I’m extremely concerned about the tendency that we have to live in an ID society. While proof of age is sometimes required and licensing authorities are so strict that it is almost always required there is a tendency to collect far too much information.
”It is not so much the fingerprints it is the backup information on customers that is being collected. That is much more intrusive than your fingerprint, which is just a random pattern you leave all over the place.”
He added: ”It is the reversal of you being able to go about your daily business freely without identification.”
The Underground is owned by the Glasgow-based G1 Group, which owns 40 venues across Scotland. A spokeswoman confirmed is is now using fingerprint scanners.
David Glass, vice-president of the Dundee Licensed Trade Association, said: ”I know some people will think it is an invasion of privacy but so long as they are only keeping a record or someone’s name and age then it will be useful.
”Once people have registered they won’t have to worry about carrying ID.
”If there are any known troublemakers then they information can be used to find out who they are. They would have full documentation so if there was any trouble they would have no doubt who was responsible.
”Sometimes all you get is a grainy CCTV image but with this you will know exactly who it is. It could make people feel safer when they are going out.”
The new system is not entirely popular with customers.
One Tweeted: ”Have just been fingerprinted to go into a bar? This is intense. Seriously, though? In Dundee?”