The Chair of the Commons Science and Technology Committee,
, has written to
, Minister of
State for Countering Extremism, following her
letter addressing the use of facial recognition
technology and the Biometrics Strategy on 30 November.
In the letter of 30 November, Baroness Williams confirmed that
publication of the strategy will be delayed until the new year
and outlined the Government’s policy on the police use of facial
recognition technology. In the letter published today, the Chair
requests details on the content and publication date of the
Biometrics Strategy, as well as the reason for the delay in its
publication. The Chair also notes concerns about the Custody
Image Review and asks for clarity on guidance issued to police
officers on the use of facial recognition data.
In the letter published today, the Chair:
- · Asks
for full clarity on the areas that the Biometrics Strategy will
cover and the reasons for the continuing delay. He further
requests detail on the formal publication date beyond current
target of ‘next year’.
- · Notes
his concerns about how the Custody Image Review will be
implemented and states his uncertainty about the Government’s
position on important areas such as fingerprints and DNA.
- · Asks
about what plans the Government has to embed the results of the
Custody Image Review in legislation.
- · Notes
uncertainties in how facial images are captured and used.
- · Notes
that use of such images have been defined as an ‘operational
matter’, and requests details of guidance or instructions that
are given to police forces.
- · Asks
what the remit of the Biometrics & Forensics Ethics Group has
in overseeing this matter, given the Biometrics Strategy may
address ethical issues and the proper use of facial imaging.
The full text of the letter can be seen here.
