Police Scotland reject facial recognition technology

In 2020 Police Scotland shelved plans to deploy facial recognition technology after an investigation by the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing concluded the technology was “not fit” for use because of how it discriminates based on gender and race.

Their report called facial recognition “a radical departure from Police Scotland’s fundamental principle of policing by consent.” This statement echoed a joint-submission of evidence to the Sub-Committee by Open Rights Group and civil liberties campaigning organisation Big Brother Watch in November 2019.

Scotland stands alone among UK countries in rejecting facial recognition. 

WATCH ORG AT JUSTICE SUB-COMMITTEE ON POLICING

The Story So Far

What Scotland can learn from the facial recognition fiasco

Facial recognition may be an ambition for Police Scotland, but they can’t let that blind them to the steps they need to take before embarking on trials.
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