Facial Recognition Technology

My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Colleagues and I oppose the routine use of facial recognition surveillance by the police. It risks breaching the basic human right to privacy, is notoriously unreliable, and has failed to effectively identify criminals.

Use of artificial intelligence or data capture by the police must be independently regulated. Our manifesto committed to halting the use of live facial recognition surveillance, both by the police and private companies.

While technology holds the potential to enhance public safety, it should not come at the cost of compromising civil liberties or inadvertently worsening discrimination. For that reason, any form of surveillance, such as this must remain a measure of last resort.

If you’re interested, you can read the exchange when our London Spokesperson, Luke Taylor MP, raised the issue of live facial recognition with the Home Office late last year: Hansard Debate, 25th November 2024: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-11-25/debates/AA1BB5DC-87F8-4A15-BFF1-653C257F6A42/TopicalQuestions#contribution-79E2C08F-F9D1-4510-90B0-95A6A2E43DD8