Ghana manufactures over 31,000 biometric passports equipped with chips within a single month.
The UK Police Petition for Increased Funding to Broaden Facial Recognition Use
In a recent development, the UK police have requested additional funds to broaden their use of facial recognition technology. This financial support, amounting to £220 million annually for three consecutive years, is required to facilitate upgrades in technology, specifically live facial recognition (LFR) systems, as they have shown tangible results in expediting investigations and resulting in arrests[1][2].
One of the primary reasons for this expansion is the anticipated increase in operational efficiency. The introduction and improvement of LFR and related technologies are expected to free up significant police time, enabling the force to concentrate on critical tasks such as crime prevention[1]. Moreover, the police have expressed their desire to shift from maintaining outdated systems to investing in innovations they deem necessary for modern policing[1].
The use of facial recognition technology, however, raises concerns regarding public surveillance, privacy, and potential mass scanning of individuals[4][5]. The expansion also poses legal and regulatory challenges, as critics argue the current regulatory framework lacks the necessary safeguards, creating a "legal grey area" that calls for new legislation[4][5].
Ethical considerations and social concerns also accompany the expansion of facial recognition technology, including issues of bias, accuracy, and potential misuse[4][5]. The Ada Lovelace Institute has expressed concern over the lack of an adequate governance framework, suggesting that the hastiness of deployments underscores broader regulatory deficiencies[4][5]. The institute advocates for risk-based legislation to establish the legality and acceptable uses of facial recognition technology.
The financial request and the expansion of facial recognition technology have been met with criticism for its rapid rollout without sufficient regulation[4][5]. The Ada Lovelace Institute has emphasized the importance of a robust governance framework to legitimize police deployments and safeguard the public.
The expansion of facial recognition technology in the UK police's operations, with the aim of boosting efficiency and modernizing their approach, coincides with concerns in the realm of cybersecurity, as potential vulnerabilities may arise from the wider implementation of such technology. Moreover, the sudden increase in the use of facial recognition technology without a well-established governance framework could exacerbate issues of privacy, bias, and misuse, warranting careful consideration and regulatory oversight.
