tech
AI facial recognition oversight lagging far behind technology, watchdogs warn
Exclusive: Biometrics commissioners say face-scanning not as effective as claimed and new laws needed to regulate use
TL;DR
- Biometrics watchdogs warn that UK legislation for AI facial recognition is lagging behind the technology's rapid growth.
- Prof William Webster and Dr. Brian Plastow criticize the slow pace of legislation and a 'patchwork legal framework' across the UK.
- Concerns exist over police use, with the Met doubling face scans in London, and increasing use by retailers.
- Members of the public report being wrongly flagged by retail AI cameras with no accountability.
- The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is criticized as 'toothless' and unresponsive in monitoring facial recognition tech.
- An independent audit of the Met's facial recognition use has been postponed indefinitely at the police's request.
- Polling indicates public concern about turning the UK into a surveillance society.
- Whistleblowers claim shop-based face-scanning systems have been misused to add individuals to watchlists maliciously.
- Retailers like Sainsbury’s, Budgens, and Sports Direct use Facewatch to identify known offenders.
- Civil liberties groups report individuals being wrongly placed on watchlists or misidentified by the technology.