PI responds to Home Office consultation on police use of facial recognition

Privacy International (PI) has submitted a formal response to the Home Office's consultation over the legal framework covering the use of biometrics and facial recognition technologies by law enforcement. According to PI, its submission outlines necessary safeguards and proposes a total prohibition on several specific applications, including live and operator-initiated facial recognition, inferential technologies, and the use of such tools at protests.

PI also detailed requirements for independent oversight bodies, reference databases, and rigorous training protocols. Furthermore, PI called for the implementation of strict data quality standards, specifically focusing on accuracy tests and measures to mitigate racial bias. PI argues that any legal framework should extend beyond traditional law enforcement and include comprehensive provisions for impact assessments to ensure the protection of fundamental privacy rights.

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