Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Confirms Police Compliance with Code of Practice

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has published his office’s first annual assessment of law enforcement’s compliance with the Scottish Code of Practice, determining that Police Scotland has checked all the boxes.

The Code of Practice is a set of rules about how biometric data can be used by the police in Scotland. It was created by the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020.

The Act established the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner as an independent figure who oversees the use of biometric data (like fingerprints, DNA, and facial recognition) by police and criminal justice agencies in Scotland. The Commissioner’s primary responsibility is to develop and enforce a Code of Practice.

This Code establishes guidelines for how biometric data can be collected, stored, used, and destroyed to ensure it’s handled ethically and lawfully. The Commissioner also has the power to investigate potential breaches of the Code, issue guidance to relevant agencies, and produce reports for the Scottish Parliament on the use of biometrics and its impact on civil liberties.

The Act aims to strike a balance between utilizing advanced technologies for law enforcement purposes while simultaneously safeguarding individual privacy rights. By providing oversight and promoting transparent practices, the legislation helps build public trust in how biometric data is utilized within the Scottish criminal justice system.

In a statement, Commissioner Brian Plastow congratulated the police force. “Biometric data and technologies are used extensively for policing and criminal justice purposes and make a valuable contribution to community safety in Scotland,” he said. “When used in a lawful, effective, proportionate, necessary, and ethical manner, they also help promote public confidence and trust.”

Source: Scottish Biometrics Commissioner

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February 13, 2024 – by the FindBiometrics Editorial Team