UK expands police facial recognition rollout with 10 new vans

The UK is expanding its police facial recognition technology with the introduction of ten new vans, allowing seven additional regions access to this controversial system. Officials describe it as "an excellent opportunity for policing," while privacy advocates express strong opposition, citing concerns over privacy and misidentifications.

Authorities assert that LFR is deployed only in targeted, intelligence-driven operations, not randomly in busy areas to scan for suspects. The Home Office highlights that deployments follow strict protocols, including public notifications about the timing, location, and duration of LFR use, enabling individuals to opt out of being scanned. However, the College of Policing notes that in urgent situations, such as critical threats, police may activate LFR without prior warning.

The technology, independently tested at the National Physical Laboratory, is deemed accurate and free from biases related to age, gender, or ethnicity. Despite these assurances, privacy campaigners, wary of surveillance overreach, strongly oppose the expansion, citing risks to civil liberties. The government maintains that LFR enhances public safety through focused, lawful applications.

Recent data suggests that existing LFR deployments have led to 580 arrests in the past year, but privacy groups warn of potential abuses and lack of legislative safeguards.

You can read the Home Office Press release here.