Police Scotland Opens Public Dialogue on Live Facial Recognition Plans

Police Scotland has launched an exploratory public dialogue to assess the Scottish public’s views on the potential use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology in policing. Conducted in collaboration with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, the initiative marks a significant step toward evaluating the legal, ethical, and societal implications of biometric surveillance in Scotland.

This national conversation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of LFR technology across the UK. Unlike jurisdictions that have moved forward with implementation, Scotland’s approach remains cautious and consultative. The SPA emphasized that “this is not a consultation to determine whether Police Scotland will use live facial recognition. It is an exploratory conversation to determine the Scottish public’s views on this technology and its potential use in policing.”

Dr. Brian Plastow, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, will play a key role in assessing the initiative. His office has consistently called for biometric technologies to be deployed transparently, ethically, and in compliance with human rights and data protection standards. In his previous oversight work, Dr. Plastow has highlighted the importance of proportionality and necessity when considering new biometric tools.

The dialogue follows the controversial deployment of LFR in England and Wales. For example, the Metropolitan Police Service reported 540 arrests in 2023 as a result of LFR use. However, these deployments have faced criticism due to concerns about privacy, algorithmic bias, and a lack of public transparency. A 2020 Scottish parliamentary report warned that LFR systems may contain “in-built racial and gender bias” and questioned their suitability for proportional law enforcement use.

Internationally, organizations such as the Biometrics Institute have called for consistent global standards governing the use of facial recognition in public spaces. These include principles around fairness, accuracy, data minimization, and clear oversight mechanisms. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has similarly underscored that any deployment of facial recognition must be necessary, proportionate, and justified under UK data protection law.

Police Scotland’s LFR exploration is part of a wider conversation around the ethical use of artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies in law enforcement. While LFR promises efficiency in identifying individuals on watchlists, critics point to risks such as wrongful identification, mass surveillance creep, and erosion of public trust. In response, the SPA has published supporting materials to facilitate informed public participation and is committed to transparency throughout the process.

Currently, no biometric data is being collected or used in Scotland as part of this dialogue. Any decision to proceed with formal implementation would require further public consultation, detailed impact assessments, and legislative scrutiny. Police Scotland has indicated that future steps—including resource allocation and policy development—will depend on the findings of this public engagement initiative.

Sources: The Edinburgh Reporter, Scottish Police Authority

—
April 10, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith