MSPs’ fears over facial recognition

FACIAL recognition technology should not be used by police, private firms or public bodies because of legal concerns, according to a Holyrood committee.

MSPs have urged ministers to draw up a legal framework for the use of the technology to prevent firms operating in a ‘facial recognition Wild West’.

A report by the justice sub-committee on policing said there is no justification for use of the software – which cross-references CCTV images with police databases – in light of privacy and human rights concerns. It said it is ‘known to discriminate against females and those from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities’.

The report was published following an inquiry into whether use of the technology could breach human rights.

Police Scotland initially said it would like to use the technology by 2026. It scrapped that target and now insists it is just keeping a ‘watching brief’ on its use in England and Wales.

The Holyrood committee report said: ‘The use of live facial recognition technology would be a radical departure from Police Scotland’s fundamental principle of policing by consent.’ It added that Police Scotland would have to ensure any technology in use was ‘provided for in legislation and meets human rights and data protection requirements’.

John Finnie, the sub-committee’s convener, said: ‘Current live facial recognition technology throws up far too many “false positives” and contains inherent biases that are known to be discriminatory.’