To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the commitment in the Home Office Biometrics Strategy, published in June 2018, to update the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice in collaboration with the Surveillance Camera Commissioner; when they expect the result of any updated Code; and whether such an update will include stronger guidance on the use of automatic facial recognition.
Answered on
27 June 2019
We are planning to update the Surveillance Camera Code by the end of the year, subject to consultation with stakeholders, coordination with the Information Commissioner’s update to their guidance on the related data protection issues, and obtaining the necessary parliamentary time.
The Government believes that there is a legal framework for the use of live facial recognition technology. We are supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council in developing operational guidance for the police, informed by the independent reviews of the trials.