ICO PUBLISHES ITS STATEMENT ON THE R (BRIDGES) – V- CHIEF CONSTABLE OF SOUTH WALES

12.08.2020

Information Commissioner’s Officer (“ICO”) has published its statement on the Court of Appeal judgment in R (Bridges) -v- Chief Constable of South Wales Police & Ors.

As known, the use of live facial recognition (“LFR”), by South Wales Police’s (“SWP”) was subject to judicial review, R (Bridges) v the Chief Constable of South Wales [2019]. In the case, the claimant submitted that SWP’s use of facial recognition technology breached the right to privacy, data protection laws and anti-discrimination laws. The Commissioner intervened in the case because of the important data protection issues arising from the complaint.

In the Court of Appeal’s judgment, the use of facial recognition technology was ruled unlawful by stating that a police force’s use of facial recognition to hunt for suspects was unlawful, in a ruling that privacy campaigners hailed as a “major victory” in their fight against the surveillance technology.

An ICO Spokesperson states regarding judgment of Court of Appeal that they welcome the Court of Appeal’s judgment that provides clarification on the police use of live facial recognition technology in public places. Additionally, it is stated that facial recognition relies on sensitive personal data and balancing people’s right to privacy with the surveillance technology the police need to carry out their role effectively is challenging. But for the public to have trust and confidence in the police and their actions there needs to be a clear legal framework. Today’s judgment is a useful step towards providing that.

You can read the ICO’s statement and its opinion on this issue here.

Should you have any queries and/or remarks, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

 

Kind regards,

Zumbul Attorneys-at-Law

info@zumbul.av.tr