Illinois test-takers biometrically scanned without consent or disclosure by Pearson Education vein-print system

Summary

Pearson Education collected hand vein-print biometrics from test-takers at Illinois testing centers without obtaining written consent or providing required disclosures, in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The collection began as early as January 13, 2017, and continued through at least October 2023. Test-takers, including plaintiff Tammy Velazquez who sat the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination in Schaumburg, Illinois in summer 2021, were told the vein-print scans were required for security purposes but were never informed how long the data would be retained or whether it would be shared with third parties.