Facial recognition technology brings benefits that can make aspects of our lives easier, more efficient and more secure. The technology allows us to u

Blog: Information Commissioner’s Opinion addresses privacy concerns on the use of live facial recognition technology in public places

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2021-06-18 14:30:02

Facial recognition technology brings benefits that can make aspects of our lives easier, more efficient and more secure. The technology allows us to unlock our mobile phones, set up a bank account online, or go through passport control.

But when the technology and its algorithms are used to scan people’s faces in real time and in more public contexts, the risks to people’s privacy increases.

I am deeply concerned about the potential for live facial recognition (LFR) technology to be used inappropriately, excessively or even recklessly. When sensitive personal data is collected on a mass scale without people’s knowledge, choice or control, the impacts could be significant.

We should be able to take our children to a leisure complex, visit a shopping centre or tour a city to see the sights without having our biometric data collected and analysed with every step we take.

Unlike CCTV, LFR and its algorithms can automatically identify who you are and infer sensitive details about you. It can be used to instantly profile you to serve up personalised adverts or match your image against known shoplifters as you do your weekly grocery shop.