Court told police facial recognition needs limits

"The Met Police is facing a legal challenge over its use of live facial recognition (LFR) from two campaigners who say the technology is expanding without adequate safeguards. They argue that the tool risks arbitrary and discriminatory use. Their case comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood moves ahead with plans to expand facial recognition to police forces across England and Wales, despite an ongoing consultation."

"Shaun Thompson, a youth worker, was wrongly flagged by LFR, and Silkie Carlo, is the director of privacy campaigning organisation Big Brother Watch. Dan Squires KC, representing the pair, told the court that police use of LFR was increasing "exponentially". He said the Met deployed the technology 231 times in 2025 and scanned about four million faces. On 17 December alone, LFR cameras at Oxford Circus scanned more than 50,000 people in four and a half hours, he said."

"Squires described facial recognition as "similar to a DNA profile", converting facial features into coded data which is checked against a watchlist. He noted that the Met announced earlier this year that the first permanent cameras would be installed on buildings and lampposts in Croydon. Squires warned that without limits on where LFR could be used "it will be impossible for people to travel across London without their biometric data being taken and processed"."

The Met Police faces a legal challenge over its use of live facial recognition (LFR) by campaigners who say the technology is expanding without adequate safeguards. The campaigners argue LFR risks arbitrary and discriminatory use and cite a wrongful match of youth worker Shaun Thompson. The Home Secretary plans to expand facial recognition nationwide, increasing vans from 10 to 50. Dan Squires KC said the Met deployed LFR 231 times in 2025 and scanned about four million faces, including over 50,000 people at Oxford Circus in one day. Squires compared facial recognition to a DNA profile and warned that without geographic limits people will be scanned while traveling across London. The Met defended LFR as necessary to locate thousands of wanted individuals.

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