Comments sought on biometrics proposals

Views are being sought on Scottish Government plans to create a commissioner to oversee how biometric data is used by law enforcement.

Biometric data includes personal forensic information such as fingerprints, DNA samples, facial images and eye scans. Planned new legislation would create a Scottish Biometrics Commissioner to ensure lawful, effective and ethical use of biometric data. The commissioner would oversee the use of such data by Police Scotland or the Scottish Police Authority, including how it is collected, used, stored and disposed of.

The Scottish Parliament’s justice committee is scrutinising the proposals and has launched a call for evidence. The committee will be examining issues such as whether the commissioner is likely to be able to enforce compliance effectively.

Committee convener Margaret Mitchell said: ““The rapid development of technology that can identify individuals by using highly personal data, and the huge risks associated with this sort of data being used improperly, means that these are interesting and timely proposals from the Scottish Government.”