Live facial recognition cameras to be used on UK’s busiest shopping street
Summary
The Metropolitan Police plan to use live facial recognition (LFR) cameras permanently on London’s Oxford Street and other busy areas to help catch criminals. This technology scans people’s faces and compares them to a list of suspects, but some groups worry it could violate privacy and unfairly target certain groups.Key Facts
- The Met will install fixed LFR cameras on Oxford Street and six other locations starting by Christmas and into next year.
- Oxford Street is newly pedestrianized and one of the busiest shopping streets in the UK.
- LFR technology scans faces of everyone passing by and matches them to wanted suspects.
- Cameras will be attached to street furniture like lamp-posts instead of temporary police vans.
- Human rights groups warn the technology increases public surveillance and may discriminate, especially against Black people.
- The Met began using LFR cameras at some London tube stations this month.
- Almost half of people surveyed oppose scanning faces without a clear reason to suspect wrongdoing.
- The mayor’s office says LFR is part of efforts to make Oxford Street safer and more pedestrian-friendly, with oversight planned to maintain public trust.
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