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Growing Investment in Facial Recognition Technology by UK Police Forces
UK police chiefs have revealed plans to escalate the use of facial recognition technology, proposing a £220 million annual budget allocation for the next three years. This substantial investment seeks to expand the implementation of facial recognition across various police forces [3].
The Metropolitan Police has already scanned close to 800,000 faces since 2020, while this summer will see the installation of permanent facial recognition cameras in Croydon, south London, as part of an extended trial [1][4].
To enhance the technology's efficacy, the British government is working towards granting police forces access to a broader array of image databases, including passport and immigration records for retroactive facial recognition searches [4].
However, the lack of stringent regulations and a comprehensive governance framework has raised red flags from organizations such as the Ada Lovelace Institute. Critics argue that the current regulations are too scattered and inadequate to safeguard public rights [1][5].
The rapid expansion of facial recognition technology could potentially infringe upon human rights and undermine public trust in the administration of biometric technologies [2]. There are concerns about the legitimacy of police deployments and the assignment of acceptable uses for the technology [1][5].
Internal documents suggest a likelihood of live facial recognition cameras becoming commonplace in England and Wales, indicating a potential for increased surveillance [4]. Improvements in facial recognition accuracy have contributed to its wider acceptance. However, the expanded use emphasizes the need for solid legal safeguards ensuring compliance with human rights standards [5].
The British government's proposal to grant police forces access to various image databases could bolster the effectiveness of facial recognition technology, yet the lack of robust regulations might compromise cybersecurity and human rights. The escalated implementation of facial recognition technology across UK police forces, with substantial investment and potential for permanent cameras, raises concerns about the balance between cybersecurity and privacy.
