Statement on the launch of the government consultation on
a new legal framework for the use of facial recognition and
similar technologies in law enforcement.
The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Professor
William Webster said:
I welcome the fact that the government has now launched its
promised consultation to
help develop a new legislative framework for the use of facial
recognition and similar technologies by law enforcement. This is
a unique and important opportunity to shape this fast moving
policy area, and I urge everyone with an interest in how facial
recognition and similar technologies are being used by law
enforcement agencies to actively contribute to the debate and
reply to the consultation.
As I consider my response as Commissioner, my priorities will be
to consider, firstly, what meaningful oversight on the use of
facial recognition and similar technologies actually looks like.
Secondly, how we can ensure that the regulatory framework is
sufficiently agile to provide the public with confidence that the
right balance of regulatory oversight has been achieved in a fast
moving area with innovation and new technologies emerging at
pace.
I will be looking at ways in which to help discussion with
stakeholders on these issues during the consultation period
before I submit my response. Further details will follow shortly.
Read the commissioner's
response to the live facial recognition consultation.
