Thames Valley Police has commenced the deployment of live facial recognition (LFR) technology in Oxford and the wider Thames Valley area, including the operation of specialised LFR vans in public spaces. The force states the rollout is intended to support frontline policing, enabling the rapid identification of wanted suspects and missing persons. Images captured by the system are checked against defined watchlists, with non-matches deleted immediately. While the police emphasise safeguards and lawful use, civil liberties groups have raised concerns about privacy, mass surveillance, and potential impacts on individual rights.
Actions:
Update Policies: Ensure use of facial recognition or biometric data complies with GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
Check Third-Party Access: Document any sharing or requests for biometric data with authorities.
Staff Guidance: Advise staff on handling personal data in public spaces and on information sharing with other agencies.
Privacy Monitoring: Keep DPIAs and risk assessments for any biometric systems up to date.
If you have any questions or require support, please contact your Data Protection Officer (DPO).