McArthur launches probe into proposed use of live facial recognition tech

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur has filed 40 parliamentary questions on Police Scotland’s proposed use of live facial recognition as he bids to force the Scottish Government to explain how the measures are compatible with equalities and civil liberties concerns.

His questions come after Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell vowed to utilise artificial intelligence technology and live facial recognition technology as part of the service’s forthcoming six year strategy, despite police services in England facing legal challenges over its usage and the use of live facial recognition by South Wales Police producing 2,833 false alerts, compared to only 72 resultant arrests.

Campaigners have identified a series of problems with the technology, from the possibility of misuse to the propensity for errors, particularly in misidentifying ethnic minorities and women. Professor Angela Daly, from the University of Dundee’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science has described live facial recognition as “not fit for purpose”.

Mr McArthur’s questions ask the Scottish Government about its engagement with the Chief Constable on this issue, the impact on equalities and civil liberties, how the government will prevent hostile actors from providing or exploiting this technology, how information generated by the technology will be stored, accessed and utilised and how the technology can be compatible with a host of stated policy goals.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP commented:

“I am concerned that decisions that dramatically reframe the relationship between the police and the public are being treated as an inevitable consequence of the march of technology.

“There needs to be a compelling need, an appropriate legal basis and a proper public debate before the police can consider moving forward with measures like this. That simply has not happened.

“If the Scottish Government share these concerns, then they have been awfully quiet about it. Certainly they are concerns that the Justice Committee heard loudly and clearly in the previous session of parliament.

“Ministers and senior officers need to set out why these decisions are being taken and answer for the consequences.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats believe the police need to be provided with the resources they need to do their jobs. At the same time, the public should have confidence that their rights will be protected. These proposals should not simply be waved through. I look forward to a comprehensive response from the Scottish Government to my concerns.”