Scotland ‘Leading the Way’ in Police Biometrics, Watchdog Says

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner says his office’s approach to regulating the police use of biometric tech is working. In an article for the magazine FutureScot, Dr. Brian Plastow says his country is “leading the way in its use of biometrics thanks to a strategic approach which ensures the lawful, effective and ethical use of biometric data”.

Following the introduction of the Scottish Biometrics Commissioners Act in 2020, Scotland became the first country to implement a legally binding code of practice for biometrics in policing. The code is supported by legal enforcement mechanisms and a public complaint process, and is meant to ensure the ethical and lawful use of biometric data.

Over the past year, the Commissioner’s office has conducted multiple assurance reviews, leading to several recommendations for Police Scotland. These recommendations aim to protect data subjects’ rights, develop specific policies for children, and improve the management of biometric information. The office’s efforts also included publishing compliance reports confirming that Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner adhere to the Scottish Code of Practice.

Scotland’s biometric policy framework is based on what Plastow calls the “Three Laws of Biometrics”, which prioritize policy and process over technology. This approach has prevented the unregulated use of biometric technologies seen in other regions, such as live facial recognition and polygraph tests in England and Wales. One notable implementation is the introduction of body-worn video (BWV) for firearms operations, which received overwhelming public support through a survey conducted by Police Scotland.

Public confidence in Police Scotland’s use of biometric data remains high, as evidenced by an independent survey conducted by ScotCen. To further promote and discuss Scotland’s approach, a symposium scheduled for June 2024 will feature discussions led by the Scottish Police Authority, the Chief Constable, and the Commissioner’s office. The forum will support an “ongoing national conversation to support and promote the adoption of lawful, effective, and ethical practices in Scotland,” Plastow asserts.

Source: FutureScot

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May 15, 2024 – by Alex Perala