UK surveillance watchdog: public bodies have insufficient government guidance on when it’s appropriate to use facial recognition, lip-reading tech, and more (Dan Sabbagh/The Guardian)
The UK’s Surveillance Commissioner, Sir Paul Kennedy, is warning that the public sector has been using mass surveillance technologies like facial and voice recognition without proper oversight. In his annual report, Sir Paul said that the police and local authorities had no clear guidance about when it is acceptable to deploy such technology, despite growing concerns about its potential to invade privacy. “We are concerned that some public sector organisations are already using such technologies inappropriately or to an extent which exceeds their original justification,” he said. There are now more cameras watching us than people in the UK. That’s why our privacy and civil liberties must come before surveillance. UK surveillance watchdog: public bodies have insufficient government guidance on when it’s appropriate to use facial recognition, lip-reading tech, and more.
What is UK surveillance watchdog?
Surveillance and public policy are contentious issues around the world. Privacy and security remain hot topics from the US to India, despite a global trend towards increased surveillance. In January 2018, UK’s newly created Office for Communications Data (OCD) took the unusual step of publicly releasing its guidance on using surveillance technologies. The document stated that “[s]urveillance technologies are widely available and used. They are increasingly being applied to people without any suspicion of wrongdoing.
How public bodies have insufficient government guidance on when it’s appropriate to use facial recognition, lip-reading tech?
An investigation by the UK’s Surveillance Camera Commissioner found that public authorities are using some controversial technologies without adequate guidance or regulation. These technologies include facial recognition, face-recognition-enabled CCTV cameras, lip-reading technology, and video surveillance software to detect suspicious activity. The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) recently revealed that it has been using facial recognition technology to help solve crimes for nearly two years. On Wednesday, NCA officials told a parliamentary committee that public bodies have insufficient government guidance on when it’s appropriate to use the technology. They’re also working on rules governing biometrics, such as fingerprints, DNA, and iris scans.
What are the advantages of the UK surveillance watchdog?
A new independent UK watchdog will ensure the government complies with human rights obligations when conducting online surveillance. The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) will take on the role of overseeing the use of interception warrants, which require court approval for the UK’s three main intelligence agencies—the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Security Service (MI5) — to intercept communications. The watchdog’s establishment is part of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, designed to boost the UK’s ability to fight terrorism and serious crime. UK surveillance watchdog: public bodies have insufficient government guidance on when it’s appropriate to use facial recognition, lip-reading tech, and more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, UK surveillance watchdog: public bodies have insufficient government guidance on when it’s appropriate to use facial recognition, lip-reading tech, and more. The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office has published a guide for UK citizens and companies on how to stay compliant with the new surveillance laws. The guidelines are based on advice from the National Security Council, comprised of senior public and civil servants. In summary, the public sector must only use technology if it has a “clear need” and a “proportionate approach.” That means the technology needs to help keep people safe, not to make it easier to arrest people. Britain’s new surveillance watchdog can “investigate” and “prosecute” those who break privacy laws in the UK and could issue fines of up to £1m if she found someone in contempt of court for hacking into a computer or other device. Lord Justice of Appeal, Lady Justice Macur, has been tasked with protecting people’s privacy after the government said there needed to be a stronger watchdog to protect citizens.
FAQs
1. What does the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s role relate to?
The role of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner relates to the use of CCTV, including facial recognition, lip-reading, and other biometric technologies.
2. What is the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s role in using facial recognition?
The role of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner in using facial recognition is to make sure that the law carries out the use of such technologies and that it is not being used for purposes not permitted by the law.
3. Is there a surveillance camera law in the UK?
Yes, the UK has a surveillance camera law.
4. Who can be a Surveillance Camera Commissioner?
Anyone who has a general interest in the use of surveillance cameras can apply to be a Surveillance Camera Commissioner.
