Live facial recognition cameras may become ‘commonplace’ as police use soars
Guardian7 days
In an era of rising crime and stretched police resources, live facial recognition is proving to be a vital tool for modern policing. In 2024 alone, it helped the Met arrest hundreds — including a known sex offender caught breaching child protection rules. AsUnlike traditional surveillance, LFR allows police forcesto expandidentify itsoffenders usein real time and even retrospectively, evidenceflagging showsthreats thethat technologymight deliversotherwise realslip results,through protectingthe cracks. As the publictech andexpands stoppingto dangerousvans, individualsfixed beforecameras, theyand canmajor dopublic harm.spaces, Itit’s about time LFRit technology became “commonplace” in the fight to keep our streets safe.
FacialAs recognitionlive deploymentfacial representsrecognition anedges alarmingtoward expansionbecoming of“commonplace” surveillanceacross thatUK treatsstreets everyand citizenstores, asserious aconcerns potential suspect without proper legal oversightgrow. ThePolice technologyscan scans millions of innocent faces annuallywith whilelittle operating under self-regulation by police forcesoversight, creatingrisking awrongful chillingarrests effectdue onto civilhigh libertieserror andrates democratic— freedoms.especially Studiesfor show the technology exhibits bias against people of color and women. In supermarkets, withshoppers errorface ratessecret thatwatchlists riskwithout wrongfulconsent, arreststurning andeveryday violationsspaces ofinto basicbiometric privacy rightstraps. TheWith absenceno ofclear parliamentarylaws legislation governing thisuse invasiveor technologyaccountability, allowsthis unchecked expansion thatof fundamentallyLFR alterstech thethreatens relationshipprivacy, betweenfairness, citizenspublic trust, and therisks statenormalizing dystopian mass surveillance. It must be stopped.
Facial recognition tech is evolving fast, but laws aren’t keeping pace, risking unchecked privacy violations and bias. Without strong, clear regulations, this powerful tool threatens civil liberties — especially for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by errors and misuse. We must demand laws that enforce transparency, limit data retention, mandate operator training, and protect individuals before technology outstrips our ability to control it.
There is a 50% chance that an international AI regulatory agency, akin to the IAEA, for oversight of transformative AI systems, will be established before 2030, according to Metaculus community prediction.