Disclaimer: Disabled people and other vulnerable groups may be disproportionately affected by facial recognition technology. It is therefore essential that individuals are made aware of their rights under GDPR, privacy, and human rights law. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For tailored guidance, individuals should seek professional legal support.
Concerns Raised Over Privacy, GDPR Compliance, and Potential Human Rights Breaches
The use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by the Metropolitan Police has once again come under scrutiny, as the UK’s human rights regulator raises serious concerns about its compatibility with existing privacy and human rights protections. While the police argue that the technology helps combat crime and terrorism, critics fear that its deployment risks unlawful surveillance, breaches of GDPR, and violations of fundamental rights to privacy and freedom of expression.
Facial Recognition and Civil Liberties
Facial recognition cameras are designed to scan crowds in public spaces and match individuals against watchlists. However, the practice has sparked heated debate about its legality, transparency, and necessity. The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has criticised the Metropolitan Police for failing to adequately safeguard the rights of individuals and for relying on a system that may disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
GDPR and Data Protection
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), biometric data, such as facial images, falls under the category of “special category data,” requiring stronger legal justification for its processing. Critics argue that the Met has not demonstrated sufficient compliance with GDPR principles such as necessity, proportionality, and accountability. Questions remain about how long data is stored, who has access to it, and whether individuals can exercise their right to challenge or opt out.
Human Rights Concerns
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly Article 8 (the right to respect for private and family life), sets strict boundaries on state surveillance. Legal experts argue that mass scanning of citizens, many of whom are not suspected of any wrongdoing, risks infringing upon this right. Furthermore, there are concerns that such practices could create a “chilling effect” on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, both also protected under human rights law.
Accountability and Oversight
The EHRC has called for an urgent review and tighter oversight of the deployment of facial recognition. Recommendations include transparent policies, independent audits, and clear evidence that the technology is necessary and proportionate in each use case. Without stronger safeguards, critics warn that facial recognition risks becoming an intrusive form of mass surveillance, undermining public trust in law enforcement.
Conclusion
The criticism from the UK’s human rights regulator underscores the growing tension between technological innovation in policing and the protection of individual rights. As facial recognition continues to evolve, its deployment must be balanced against privacy laws, GDPR obligations, and fundamental human rights. Without stricter regulations and safeguards, the technology risks eroding the very freedoms it claims to protect.
STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
“Disabled people and other vulnerable groups may be disproportionately affected by facial recognition surveillance, especially if they are unaware of their legal rights or how to challenge misuse of their data. Disabled individuals and vulnerable communities must be provided with clear information and support so they can understand their rights under GDPR and human rights law, ensuring they are not unfairly targeted or overlooked”.
Further Reading & Resources
- Regulator raises concerns over Met’s facial recognition camera use – BBC News
- Facial recognition technology: police powers and the protection of privacy – House of Lords Library
- Metropolitan Police’s policy over live facial recognition ‘unlawful’ – watchdog
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cdei-publishes-briefing-paper-on-facial-recognition-technology/snapshot-paper-facial-recognition-technology
- https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
- https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/human-rights-act/article-10-freedom-expression
- https://www.met.police.uk/
- https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/european-convention-on-human-rights
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/schedule/1/part/I/chapter/7 (Article 8)
- https://gdpr.eu/
- https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/
- Art. 6 GDPR – Lawfulness of processing – GDPR.eu
- Art. 7 GDPR – Conditions for consent – GDPR.eu
- Recital 32 – Conditions for consent – GDPR.eu
- Recital 33 – Consent to certain areas of scientific research – GDPR.eu
- Recital 40 – Lawfulness of data processing – GDPR.eu
- Recital 41 – Legal basis or legislative measures – GDPR.eu
- Recital 42 – Burden of proof and requirements for consent – GDPR.eu
- Recital 43 – Freely given consent – GDPR.eu
- Recital 45 – Fulfillment of legal obligations – GDPR.eu
- https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/counteracting-deepfake-how-the-uk-can-follow-denmarks-law/
Stand Up For Human Rights, Get Involved Today!
Renata The Editor of DisabledEntrepreneur.uk - DisabilityUK.co.uk - DisabilityUK.org - CMJUK.com Online Journals, suffers From OCD, Cerebellar Atrophy & Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is an Entrepreneur & Published Author, she writes content on a range of topics, including politics, current affairs, health and business. She is an advocate for Mental Health, Human Rights & Disability Discrimination.
She has embarked on studying a Bachelor of Law Degree with the goal of being a human rights lawyer.
Whilst her disabilities can be challenging she has adapted her life around her health and documents her journey online.
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