UK government to tighten rules on police facial recognition use
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 21:02 · Archive
The UK government is introducing new laws and a watchdog to govern police use of facial recognition cameras.
The UK government is introducing new laws and creating a watchdog to regulate police use of live facial recognition (LFR) cameras. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the measures, saying they will ensure the technology is used 'fairly and safely'. Police will only be permitted to deploy the cameras when they believe wanted suspects are in a particular location, and use must be 'intelligence-led and proportionate'.
A new legal code will also govern how private businesses, such as shops, use facial recognition technology. The announcement comes weeks after it was revealed that LFR cameras would be installed on London's Oxford Street before Christmas. The measures follow a public consultation that showed public support for the technology but with concerns about privacy and safety.
Home Secretary Mahmood said facial recognition had been 'the biggest breakthrough for catching criminals since DNA matching, already helping police take thousands of dangerous criminals off our streets'. Policing minister Sarah Jones told the BBC that citizens 'by and large' support the crime-fighting system but want assurances around safety and privacy. She gave the example that someone with an outstanding parking fine should not be targeted by the technology.
The Metropolitan Police, which has been expanding its use of LFR in recent years, says the cameras have led to more than 3,000 arrests in the past two years. Latest figures show cameras in Croydon, south London, helped identify 173 suspects, including some wanted for rape, kidnap and sexual assault. LFR works by scanning faces in real time and comparing them to a police database. Human rights groups have raised concerns about people being scanned without consent and the risk of mistaken identity arrests.
The new watchdog will have oversight of police use of the technology, potentially with the ability to ban forces from using it if they do not meet standards. Laws will be introduced through the Police Reform Bill to formalize the restrictions. Campaigners had called for use of the cameras to be paused until legislation was in place.
How it is being reported
- Government to tighten facial recognition rules for police amid human rights fearsIt comes just weeks after the announcement facial recognition cameras would be installed on Oxford StreetThe Independent · 4 Nov, 17:25
- Shops and police face new rules to stop them misusing facial recognition camerasHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a new watchdog and laws will be brought in to monitor how police and private businesses use facial recognition cameras after an outcryThe Mirror · 4 Nov, 14:26
- UK policing minister promises new facial recognition laws after criticismsMP Sarah Jones says that proper rules and regulations will soon be rolling out for the use of LFR tech.TechRadar · 4 Nov, 12:50
In this story: Sarah Jones · Shabana Mahmood · Metropolitan Police · Oxford Street · Croydon
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log
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