Have you ever heard the story where someone joined a gym recently and was told "Please register your fingerprint", making them think "Wait, seriously?" 😳
I was one of those people who assumed "Once I pay, I can just walk in, right?" so I was pretty shocked when they suddenly asked for my fingerprint 💦
Why Do Gyms Ask for Fingerprints?
I guess it's probably because gyms want to ensure reliable member identification ✨
Using fingerprints as keys likely reduces the risk of forgetting cards or apps, and prevents misuse 📱🔒
But the idea that "using fingerprints is mandatory" with no alternatives makes me think, "Wait a minute, hold on..." and I totally get that feeling 🥺
Can You Refuse Fingerprint Registration?
This is probably the most frustrating part, but apparently it varies by gym 👀
Some places enforce it, while others offer alternative methods.
However, biometric information like fingerprints is considered highly sensitive among personal data, so legally speaking, unauthorized use is often prohibited 🧠💡
(※ This varies by country and region, but places like the EU's GDPR and US state laws have pretty strict rules)
What Happens If You Refuse?
In the original poster's case, they were told they'd get a refund if they refused the fingerprint, but two days passed with no refund 😳
In situations like this, it might be best to wait a bit or contact the gym management directly 📞
If the refund is delayed or the response is poor, you could also consider consulting consumer protection agencies 👍
What Can You Do For Now?
- If you really don't want to use fingerprints, it's better to inquire in advance 💬
- Check whether refusing is acceptable by carefully reading the contract and terms of service 👀
- The idea of using silicone to fake fingerprints!? sounds interesting, but it might cause the gym's machine to malfunction, so maybe it's scary to try... 😅
- Legal matters are complicated, but choosing a gym you feel comfortable with is also important 💡
So, I think it's perfectly natural to question "Do I really have no choice?" when it comes to fingerprint registration ✨
For anyone thinking of joining a gym, I recommend asking directly before signing up: "I'd prefer not to use fingerprints" 🤗
Hatena
Comments
ロバート
Call the gym and ask about the refund status, and tell them if it doesn't come within a week, you'll contact your credit card company.
ハンナ
I would never give my fingerprint, absolutely not.
ジョージ
In Frankie Boyle's style, it's like 'Biometric cards? Who came up with that idea? If your wallet gets stolen, you'd have to replace your eyes and fingers too' - it's a joke but it really highlights the problem and it's funny.
リリー
I don't know which country this is, but in the UK there's a law that requires providing alternative methods to biometric authentication.
ノーラン
Fight back with a chargeback.
ハンナ
Every company sells personal data to advertisers. Phone number? Address? Email? Biometric data? It all gets sold.
クロエ
To hide fingerprints, the classic method is to apply Elmer's glue to your fingertips and let it dry.
クリス
I used fingerprint authentication at a 24-hour gym because key cards were being passed to non-members. It's not necessarily the right method but it's convenient. My current gym uses QR codes from smartphones to enter, which takes about 3 seconds.
ロバート
Credit card refunds can sometimes take 1-2 weeks.
ハンナ
Why not just say 'I don't have fingers' straight up and see how they respond? If they don't have a method for people like that, it's lawsuit material.
グレース
They're doing this so RFID cards can't be shared with others.
サム
Is this about EOS gym? Or somewhere else?
サラ
That's terrible. I'm sticking with key fobs without using apps because I don't want location data leaking to overseas servers. I wonder what I'll do if I need to change gyms.
エイダン
(lol)
