The Metropolitan Police’s policy over live facial recognition (LFR) technology is “unlawful” because it is “incompatible” with human rights laws, the equalities watchdog has said.
00:00Just on Wednesday, we reported how the Met Police's Commissioner had defended the introduction of live facial recognition technology at the upcoming Notting Hill Carnival this bank holiday weekend.
00:16We've also covered how last month the Metropolitan Police announced plans to expand its use of the tech across the capital.
00:27However, this is a big development.
00:30The Equality and Human Rights Commission has now said the Metropolitan Police's policy over live facial recognition technology is unlawful and incompatible with human rights laws.
00:47The watchdog implied it believes the Met's policy breaches articles 8, right to privacy, 10, freedom of expression.
00:55The EHRC has been given permission to intervene in an upcoming judicial review over live facial recognition brought by privacy campaigner Big Brother Watch, Director Silky Carlo and Anti-Knife Crime Community Worker Sean Thompson.
01:14They are seeking the legal challenge claiming Mr Thompson was grossly mistreated after live facial recognition wrongly identified him as a criminal last year.
01:28EHRC Chief Executive John Kirkpatrick said the technology, when used responsibly, can help combat serious crime and keep people safe.
01:38But the biometric data being processed is deeply personal.
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