
Students writing LSAT warned about privacy threat CBC \|\| February 17, 2006 The University of Ottawa is warning aspiring lawyers that they may be giving up their privacy when they hand over thumbprints while taking an admission test administered by a U.S. company. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is used by universities around the world, requires prospective students to provide an imprint of their thumb and other personal information, a move to prevent students from hiring smart impostors to write the test on their behalf. A private company in the United States, the Law School Admission Council, administers the test. Privacy experts and students are worried about how the Patriot Act, which allows U.S. agencies to secretly collect personal information in the name of national security, might affect information handed over to the company. "The act gives the power to agencies such as the FBI to get access to information that is sent to the U.S.," said Daniel Gervais, acting dean of the common-law section at the University of Ottawa. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com The website of the faculty of law says the university is "greatly worried by the use of personal information" required by the LSAT, especially the thumbprint. Last week, David Loukidelis, B.C.'s information and privacy commissioner, agreed to investigate the company's request for information after a student complained about the requirement. "We'll be looking at, 'Is it appropriate to force someone who wants to take that test to give up that personal identifier in the nature of a thumbprint?'" said Loukidelis. A spokesman for the Law School Admission Council says the U.S. government has never requested information on a student taking the law exam, but the law council is investigating how it would be required to handle the situation if it arose. "We're seeking legal opinion now about exactly what circumstances would have to be in place before that could happen," said Jim Vaseleck, a lawyer with the council. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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Students writing LSAT warned about privacy threat

CBC || February 17, 2006

The University of Ottawa is warning aspiring lawyers that they may be giving up their privacy when they hand over thumbprints while taking an admission test administered by a U.S. company.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is used by universities around the world, requires prospective students to provide an imprint of their thumb and other personal information, a move to prevent students from hiring smart impostors to write the test on their behalf.

A private company in the United States, the Law School Admission Council, administers the test.

Privacy experts and students are worried about how the Patriot Act, which allows U.S. agencies to secretly collect personal information in the name of national security, might affect information handed over to the company.

"The act gives the power to agencies such as the FBI to get access to information that is sent to the U.S.," said Daniel Gervais, acting dean of the common-law section at the University of Ottawa.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

The website of the faculty of law says the university is "greatly worried by the use of personal information" required by the LSAT, especially the thumbprint.

Last week, David Loukidelis, B.C.'s information and privacy commissioner, agreed to investigate the company's request for information after a student complained about the requirement.

"We'll be looking at, 'Is it appropriate to force someone who wants to take that test to give up that personal identifier in the nature of a thumbprint?'" said Loukidelis.

A spokesman for the Law School Admission Council says the U.S. government has never requested information on a student taking the law exam, but the law council is investigating how it would be required to handle the situation if it arose.

"We're seeking legal opinion now about exactly what circumstances would have to be in place before that could happen," said Jim Vaseleck, a lawyer with the council.

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