Consultation on facial recognition cameras

Facial recognition cameras are powerful pieces of new technology that enable the police to track and monitor every one of us while we go about our day to day lives. Police forces have been able to make up their own rules for too long. 

However, the Government say it intends to expand the use of this technology. Why are they making this decision before the public has even had the chance to tell them what they think? 

The Government must halt the rapid rollout of facial recognition technology and make sure there are safeguards in place to protect each of us and prioritise our rights – something we know the public wants. 

A reminder of the safeguards we are calling for:  

• independent sign off before facial recognition is used  

• police to only be able to use facial recognition technology to:  

• search for missing persons or victims of abduction, human trafficking and sexual exploitation  

• prevent an imminent threat to life or people’s safety  

• search for people suspected of committing a serious criminal offence  

• watchlists to only contain images strictly relevant to the purposes above  

• police to give the public at least 14-days advance warning of live facial recognition deployments, except when there is an urgent need. 

We will now be looking into the details of the consultation and deciding how we can make the strongest impact.  

If you would like to hear more about how to take part in the consultation and take the next step to stop the unregulated use of this technology, click on the button below to let us know. Thank you to everyone who has already added their name.