Live facial recognition not policing by consent

MSPS have warned live facial recognition software would be a “radical departure” from the current police practice of policing by consent.

Police Scotland initially said it would like to be able to use the technology by 2026, before changing tack.

The Justice Sub-committee on Policing has warned there is no justification for use of the software – which crossreferences CCTV images with police databases – in light of privacy and human rights concerns.

A report published today as part of the committee’s inquiry into the advancement said the technology is “known to discriminate against females and those from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities”.

The report added: “The use of live facial recognition technology would be a radical departure from Police Scotland’s fundamental principle of policing by consent.”

Police Scotland initially planned to roll out the software – as detailed in Policing 2026, a 10-year strategy published by the force.

It has since pledged to put the plan on hold and have committed to take part in a wider debate about the implications of the software.