According to civil liberties campaigners, Keir Starmer’s recent proposal to expand the use of live facial recognition technology is likened to implementing a national ID card scheme based on people’s faces. Big Brother Watch director Silky Carlo pointed out the irony of this proposal coinciding with the EU-wide ban on real-time surveillance technology.
Carlo expressed concerns about the implications for civil liberties, stating that the widespread use of live facial recognition would subject millions of innocent Britons to automated ID checks similar to tactics used in China and Russia.
Live facial recognition has mainly been utilized by the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police in the UK to aid in crime detection and prevention, especially at public events. Starmer’s suggestion to deploy this technology more extensively follows recent riots in response to tragic events.
The lack of specific legislation governing facial recognition software in the UK has raised alarm among activists, who fear potential misuse targeting legitimate protesters and individuals with violent intentions. Concerns also surround the accuracy of the technology, particularly its potential bias against black individuals.
While some authorities argue for the effectiveness of facial recognition technology in aiding law enforcement, others, including Big Brother Watch, are gearing up for legal challenges against its deployment, citing violations of privacy and civil liberties.
Source: www.theguardian.com
