Police chiefs are exploring powerful new technology which could pave the way for ‘Orwellian’ live facial recognition, it was warned last night.
Known as BriefCam, the system has been used previously by local authorities in conjunction with CCTV for traffic management.
But now police plan to expand its use to search images from CCTV cameras for specific objects – such as items of clothing.
‘Big Bother’: Critics fear ‘facial matching’ may be used
This could be a huge boost for officers, saving vital time during missing person inquiries or while hunting suspected criminals.
But last night privacy campaigners warned that BriefCam could be used in future for facial recognition – which critics have warned is ‘incompatible with a democratic society’.
Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations at Big Brother Watch, said: ‘Artificial intelligence-powered surveillance has the potential to put all our privacy at risk if misused.
‘Police Scotland must be very careful to ensure that it is only used when necessary and steps are taken to protect the public’s privacy, as otherwise we face this kind of technology becoming normalised and creeping further into our daily lives.’
The force insists that BriefCam’s ability to use ‘facial matching’ would be switched off, so that it would be used solely for ‘object matching’.
But the Mail revealed this year that Police Scotland is looking at bringing in live facial recognition cameras to tackle shoplifters and people who break bail conditions.
New tech: Jo Farrell’s Police Scotland looking at options
Critics fear BriefCam could be a way of introducing facial recognition by stealth.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the use of facial recognition would be ramped up in England to counter public disorder.
Police Scotland, led by Chief Constable Jo Farrell, told the Mail it was ‘exploring new technology called BriefCam, to be used in conjunction with CCTV’.
It said: ‘BriefCam will provide an object-matching capability – items of clothing, bags, hats, etc.
‘Whilst BriefCam does have facial matching capabilities, Police Scotland will not be using this element. BriefCam will not monitor number plates but would have the capability to identify vehicles.’
Police Scotland said BriefCam makes use of enhanced search software to ‘assist operators to review data’ more quickly.
The force said: ‘It is anticipated that this would significantly reduce the time officers spend on inquiries; however, a decision will not be made until it has been through our Rights Based Pathway [a process of checking that human rights and civil liberties will not be breached].’
Big Brother Watch has said live facial recognition technology is ‘Orwellian’ and ‘incompatible with a democratic society’.
Last night Alexandrine Pirlot de Corbion, director of strategy at campaign group Privacy International, said: ‘The onus is on Police Scotland to show the public that they are justifiably using this invasive technology.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The decision to use any technology with facial recognition capability is an operational matter for Police Scotland.’
