UK expands police facial recognition despite bias and privacy backlash

The UK has taken a firm stance on expanding facial recognition technology in policing. Over 366,156 faces were scanned in London last year alone. At the same time, the government is pushing forward with AI governance measures to address growing concerns over privacy and bias. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced plans to roll out facial recognition across police forces to combat violent disorder. This move comes despite ongoing debates about the lack of safeguards and regulatory oversight. The technology’s use in the UK currently relies on a patchwork of overlapping laws, mainly targeting biometric data, which allows police to deploy it for various purposes.

On 5 September 2024, the UK became one of the first countries to sign The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law. The framework seeks to manage risks posed by AI, with provisions to protect public data, human rights, and the rule of law. Existing regulators, including Ofcom and the ICO, will oversee AI development within their respective fields.

Concerns about the technology extend beyond privacy. Studies show facial recognition is less accurate for black faces than for white or Asian ones. Additionally, over half of the British public worry about biometric data being shared between police and private companies. The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee is now investigating the use of facial recognition in responses to shoplifting.

A recent case highlighted regulatory gaps when Clearview AI successfully overturned a £7.5 million fine from the ICO for unlawfully storing biometric data. This underscores the challenges of enforcing adequate controls both domestically and internationally. The new Labour government remains committed to expanding facial recognition in policing. The UK’s principles-based AI governance relies on existing regulators to enforce standards. However, public concerns about bias, privacy, and data sharing persist as the technology’s use grows.