An MSP Sub-Committee in Scotland has said it believes that there would be no justifiable basis for Police Scotland to invest in face recognition technology.In a report release last week, the committee said “We welcome confirmation from Police Scotland that they have no intention to introduce it at this time”.Police Scotland has an ambition, outlined in its 10-year strategy, to introduce its use by 2026.Its assessment of the likely equalities and human rights impact as “likely to be positive in nature” but this was in stark contrast to the evidence received by the Justice SubCommittee on Policing.”The live facial recognition software which is currently available to the police service is known to discriminate against females, and those from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.””The use of live facial recognition technology would be a radical departure from Police Scotland's fundamental principle of policing by consent. Police Scotland need to demonstrate that its use of this technology is provided for in legislation and meets human rights and data protection requirements”.This committe said its short inquiry has highlighted the pressing need for a much wider debate on the use of live facial recognition technology by the police service, as well as more widely across the public sector, and by private companies.”Politicians could play a key role in determining whether there is public consent for the use of this technology”.
MSPs warns Scottish police against face recognition use
