Watchdog Warns Police Face Legal Action Over Live Facial Recognition Use
The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Professor William Webster, has warned that police forces in England and Wales risk facing court action due to the implementation of live facial recognition technology. This warning coincides with the Metropolitan Police's plan to use the technology for the first time during a protest, specifically the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom rally in London. Professor Webster highlighted that the system is not foolproof and misidentifications could lead to lawsuits alleging breaches of fundamental rights, including privacy and freedom of association. He emphasized the urgent need for a clear legal framework, noting that current legislation is lagging behind technological advancements like gait and iris recognition. While Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defends the wider rollout as necessary for public safety and liberty, critics argue that the existing legal basis remains piecemeal. The Commissioner stressed that without robust legislative guidelines, dozens of police forces could face repeated legal challenges as the technology expands beyond pilot schemes.
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