UK Human Rights Watchdog Challenges Met Police Facial Recognition as Unlawful

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has declared the Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology unlawful and incompatible with human rights laws, particularly concerning privacy, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly. The EHRC criticized the Met's policies and safeguards for falling short of legal standards, warning they could have a chilling effect on individuals' rights, especially at public events like the upcoming Notting Hill Carnival. While the Met maintains that its use of LFR is lawful, proportionate, and necessary for public safety, the EHRC has received permission to intervene in a judicial review brought by privacy campaigners and community workers who highlight cases of wrongful identification. EHRC chief executive John Kirkpatrick acknowledged that LFR can help combat serious crime if used responsibly but emphasized that the biometric data processed is deeply personal and must be protected by clear, proportionate rules. The watchdog insists that the Metropolitan Police and other forces ensure their deployment of LFR complies with human rights law and is subject to appropriate safeguards to protect democratic freedoms.