The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has initiated a consultation on police Live Facial Recognition use to assess public opinion amid privacy concerns. The findings will guide Police Scotland’s resource allocation toward LFR, if pursued. Criticisms arise around trust and surveillance, with three specific use cases outlined, all under a currently inadequate legal framework.
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, along with local police authorities, is engaging the public through a consultation on the use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) by police, amidst ongoing scrutiny from privacy advocates. This exploratory consultation seeks to gauge public sentiment regarding the technology but will not directly influence decisions on its implementation. The Commissioner will initiate a separate public consultation if police opt to move forward with LFR, per recent announcements.
Police Scotland will evaluate responses from this consultation to determine the allocation of resources toward more detailed explorations of LFR. Civil liberties advocates have prompted this scrutiny, voicing concerns that LFR could diminish public trust and result in invasive surveillance. In alignment with this issue, Police Scotland’s digitization plan includes biometric analytics and body-worn cameras scheduled for deployment by 2025.
Previously, the Scottish Police Authority initiated a national dialogue regarding LFR, asserting that there is some public backing for facial recognition in specific public settings. Police have identified three scenarios for LFR application: enhancing safety in nightlife areas to protect women, aiding in locating high-risk missing persons, and ensuring safety at large public events by identifying potential threats, including terrorists.
Currently, Scotland, like other regions of the UK, lacks a cohesive legal framework governing LFR technology use. Previous findings by the Scottish government revealed deficiencies in Police Scotland’s biometric data retention policies. However, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act of 2020 was implemented to establish an accountability framework around biometric data usage in policing.
The Scottish consultation on Live Facial Recognition by police highlights the need for public engagement on emerging technologies in law enforcement. While aimed at understanding sentiment, it also addresses critical concerns regarding privacy and public trust. The clear delineation of potential use cases suggests a focused approach to managing safety while anticipating future legal regulations surrounding biometric technologies.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
