Children in Orlando, Florida as young as three may get a little Disney magic right at the entrance to the park, as they will now be required to have their fingers scanned, local media reports. The anti-fraud measure has been slammed as a violation of privacy on social media.
“Walt Disney World has begun requiring children from 3 to 9 years old to have their fingers scanned when they enter the theme parks, just like older kids and adults,” the Orlando Sentinel, the first to report on the measure, said.
According to the paper, this measure was introduced in order to “block the use of stolen and shared tickets.”
Tune in now for our #DisneyParksLIVE stream of ‘Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire’! Watch – https://t.co/9tiB5DduHB pic.twitter.com/m6fRmelIgK
— Walt Disney World (@WaltDisneyWorld) July 11, 2016
Previously, it was easier to transfer children’s tickets because they had no finger images attached.
The kids, however, may have some loopholes to avoid scanning. For example, parents who do not want their children’s fingers scanned can use their own instead.
Patch News cited a Walt Disney World spokeswoman who said that the measure was introduced in August this year.
“The policy is meant to ensure seamless entry for guests while also protecting guests from someone else using their tickets,” the paper wrote, quoting the spokeswoman.
YET ANOTHER WAY TO DATA-BASE CHILDREN#RUInsane??https://t.co/Ri2Uh252l8
— Bic Yea (@BicYea50) September 6, 2016
“Finger geometry” – pictures of several points on people’s fingers – was already used in Disney parks for teenagers and adults.
“You wouldn’t download a child?!” – @Disney
https://t.co/OeyQQ9RU1r #Privacy— A⃫n⃫i⃫s⃫ (@0xUID) September 7, 2016
Kids will probably be faster than adults! “Disney World starts scanning kids’ fingers.” https://t.co/rm5aGcB3A5 pic.twitter.com/6v3F7yMhys
— MouseClues (@MouseClues) September 5, 2016
Users on social media have become suspicious of the move. Some of them have suggested that the measure was taken “to database” children. “Mickey [Mouse] has gone mad,” wrote another user in French.
Disney to scan fingers of 3 year olds to prevent fraud // lol ! Mickey est devenu fou 😂 https://t.co/GFdMzaVROq
— Tom (@oxide) September 7, 2016
Walt Disney World, an entertainment park located near Orlando, is the most visited vacation resort in the world. Built in 1971, the park is attended by around 52 million people annually.
dan 
Mark Megahan
two ways to look at this. keep in mind the USA & Canada are in big trouble with the muslims. OK…. 1) it is unfair to finger print children at such a young age. If Disneyland is worry about fraud of people bringing in children in for free that is different. thou I cannt see them loosing that mch money on kids of that age. 2) until Obama there was no need to finger print children . Thought….. now that Canada and the USA are being swamped with muslims thank to our idiot liberal leaders, it just maybe a good idea to finger print everyone. especially if the muslims are visiting Disney. BUT the finger prints should be given over to the FBI data base. You never know when it will be need now or down the Road. SICK.. thought…. if any children go missing they will at least have the finger prints of these children. I realize that (unless changed) the Americans have to be finger printed when they get their drivers liences. BUT… as you all know their are many with out drivers liences and still drive. I do wish that we finger printed in Canada for drivers liences. I am finger printed in both countries. once for my American lience and the other for a high class sercurity firm. so if I get lost, they will always be able to identify me….. Just a thought.