The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has carried out its first audit of facial recognition technology (FRT) in policing, reviewing how South Wales Police and Gwent Police deploy the controversial tool. The audit is part of a wider programme that will evaluate FRT use across England and Wales, focusing on governance frameworks, deployment practices, and data protection compliance.
ICO Findings and Public Guidance
Deputy Commissioner Emily Keaney said the technology offers both opportunities and risks. “Few technologies are having as great an impact on modern policing as facial recognition technology,” she explained. “It can bring clear benefits in helping to prevent and detect crime, but it comes with real risks to people’s rights and freedoms – such as the potential for discrimination and misidentification – if not used responsibly.”
The audit examined governance protocols, staff training, data retention policies, and the use of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). It found that both forces have systems in place to ensure human oversight, with each deployment assessed for necessity and proportionality. The ICO emphasised that the handling of biometric data must remain lawful, fair, and proportionate under UK data protection law.
Expansion of Facial Recognition in UK Policing
The audit comes as live FRT use expands nationally. The Home Office has added 10 new FRT-equipped vans, now operating across seven police forces, doubling the fleet beyond London. This rollout has sharpened scrutiny over transparency, safeguards, and legal oversight. While the UK pursues broader adoption, the European Union is moving in the opposite direction, advancing legislation to restrict real-time public facial recognition under its AI Act.
South Wales Police Superintendent Tim Morgan sought to reassure the public about the force’s use of the technology. “We understand the concerns which are raised about the use of live facial recognition technology and we use any new technology ethically and spend time and effort making sure it’s deployed in line with all legislation and guidance,” he said. He added that the force has not experienced any wrongful arrests due to FRT, and that false alerts have been eliminated in recent years as the systems have improved.
Next Steps and Broader Strategy
The ICO stressed that this audit represents a snapshot of practices within two forces and does not constitute blanket approval for all FRT deployments. More audits are planned, including reviews of the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, and Leicestershire Police. These evaluations form part of the ICO’s wider strategy on artificial intelligence and biometrics, aimed at building consistent standards and strengthening public trust.
Surveys cited by the ICO show that while many members of the public are willing to support police use of facial recognition, confidence depends on the technology being accurate, unbiased, and subject to strong safeguards. The regulator’s ongoing oversight is intended to ensure that policing innovations remain compatible with fundamental rights.
Sources: South Wales Police, Police Professional
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
