Proposed UK Data Protection Amendments Touch On Police Biometrics

Proposed amendments to the UK’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, announced on 23 November 2023, include significant changes concerning the use of biometric data. These amendments aim to enhance national security and data security while capitalizing on post-Brexit opportunities.

A key feature of the amendments is the strengthened use of biometric data, such as fingerprints, by Counter Terrorism Police. The new measures allow for the extended retention of biometric information from individuals who are considered potential threats. This aligns with INTERPOL’s data retention practices, enabling the UK police to retain biometric data as long as an INTERPOL notice remains in effect.

Furthermore, the amendments facilitate the indefinite retention of biometric data for individuals with foreign convictions, especially in serious offenses like terrorism, paralleling the existing practices for UK nationals.

These changes are part of broader efforts to build an innovative data protection regime in the UK, aimed at safeguarding public interests and cracking down on benefit fraud. The government anticipates saving up to £600 million over five years by implementing new measures to detect and prevent benefit fraud.

Additionally, the amendments address the preservation of data of deceased children, particularly in cases of suicide, to aid in investigations and support grieving families.

The proposed amendments to the UK’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, especially regarding the use of biometric data, align with a broader shift in the country’s approach to policing and technology. The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s recently announced plan to establish a science and technology committee, with its pro-innovation stance, underscores a national commitment to leveraging technology for public safety. Chief Constable Gavin Stephens’ assertion that science and technology will drive policing reform highlights the growing importance of technological tools, like facial recognition, in law enforcement. This enthusiasm is echoed by Policing Commissioner Chris Philp’s advocacy for such technologies.

However, this technological embrace comes with cautionary notes, like those from outgoing Biometric & Surveillance Camera Commissioner Fraser Sampson, who emphasizes the need for robust regulatory oversight in the face of rapid innovation. This tension between embracing technological advancements and ensuring adequate oversight and protection of individual rights and privacy is at the heart of the current legislative changes.

Source: GOV.UK

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November 23, 2023 – by the FindBiometrics Editorial Team