Warning of facial recognition ‘epidemic’

FACIAL recognition technology has been used in shopping centres, museums and conference centres around the UK, an investigation has claimed.

Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch labelled use of the technology an “epidemic” and said its use on privately owned sites was “deeply disturbing”.

The group said the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield had carried out trials of the technology last year, while the World Museum in Liverpool and Millennium Point conference centre in Birmingham were also named in its investigation as locations where scans had taken place.

On Thursday, the Information Commissioner’s Office announced it would launch its own investigation into the use of facial recognition cameras after it was revealed scanners were being used in the King’s Cross area of London.

The UK’s data and privacy watchdog said it was “deeply concerned about the growing use of facial recognition technology in public spaces” and is seeking “detailed information” about how it is used.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he had written to the chief executive of the King’s Cross development to raise his concerns.

Big Brother Watch chief executive Silkie Carlo said increasing use of the technology was placing personal privacy at risk.

“There is an epidemic of facial recognition in the UK,” she said.

“The collusion between police and private companies in building these surveillance nets around popular spaces is deeply disturbing. Facial recognition is the perfect tool of oppression and the widespread use we’ve found indicates we’re facing a privacy emergency.”