What's Happening?
The UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has raised concerns about the Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition technology (LFR), claiming it breaches human rights law. The technology scans faces recorded on CCTV and compares them against a watchlist. Despite the Met's assertion that LFR has led to over 1,000 arrests since January 2024, the EHRC argues that its deployment lacks necessary safeguards and proportionality. The regulator has been granted permission to intervene in an upcoming judicial review of the Met's use of LFR.
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Why It's Important?
The criticism from the EHRC highlights the ongoing debate over the balance between security and privacy. The use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies raises significant ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding potential invasions of privacy and the risk of misidentification. The outcome of the judicial review could set a precedent for how such technologies are regulated and used by police forces, impacting public trust and civil liberties.
What's Next?
The judicial review will examine the legality and proportionality of the Met's use of facial recognition technology. Depending on the outcome, the Met may need to adjust its policies to ensure compliance with human rights standards. The case could also influence future legislation on the use of surveillance technologies by law enforcement agencies.
