Reply from MP on face recognition technologies

Layla Moran MP has responded to my concerns about the expanding deployment face recognition technologies :

22 December, 2023

Dear Ray,

Thank you for writing to me, and for your patience as I needed to focus on urgent matters in Gaza.

I have written to the Chief Inspector to raise your concerns, as you can read below. When I receive an update I will pass that on to you.

In general, I am deeply concerned by any laws that unnecessarily erode civil liberties which is why we want to:

• End the bulk collection of communications data and internet connection records. 
• Immediately halt the use of facial recognition surveillance by the police. 
• Introduce a Code of Ethics to govern the use of personal data and artificial intelligence to ensure it is unbiased, transparent and accurate, and respects privacy.

Thank you again for raising this concern with me, let’s see what the Chief Constable says.
 

Best wishes,

Layla

Layla Moran
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Oxford West & Abingdon

________________________________________


Dear Chief Constable,

Facial Recognition Technology
 
My constituent, Ray Corrigan, has expressed his concern about the use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) being used locally by Thames Valley Police.
 
In particular, Ray asks how widespread the deployment of FRT is in the Abingdon and Oxford areas. Ray tells me he is concerned about the risk to privacy, particularly of private citizens being tracked as they go about their lives.
 
Could you please outline your policy, and how it accounts for this concern. Could you also outline the intended benefits of any FRT being used, and what alternatives were considered.
 
Thank you for your attention on this matter.
 
Best wishes,

Layla

Layla Moran
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Oxford West & Abingdo

She had a response from Thames Valley Police: 

5 January, 2024

Dear Ray,

Happy New Year, I hope you had a restful holidays?

I have received a response from Thames Valley Police regarding Facial Recognition Technology being used in our area. I hope this reassures you that powers are not being abused and that there are no unacceptable intrusions on our privacy via FRT
 

Best wishes,

Layla

Layla Moran
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Oxford West & Abingdon

________________________________________
From: Chief Constable TVP
Sent: 27 December 2023 15:11
To: "MORAN, Layla" <layla.moran.mp@parliament.uk>
Subject: RE: Facial Recognition Technology (Case Ref: LM62195)
 

Dear Layla

I hope you have managed to enjoy a good Christmas break so far.

In regards to the below enquiry on behalf of your constituent Mr Ray Corrigan, I hope I am able to assist by responding on behalf of the Chief Constable, to avoid an unnecessary delay.

In terms of Facial Recognition we are only making use of the Police National Database facial search facility (Retrospective Facial Recognition), something available to other Forces.

We have no other facial recognition facility in use across any of the Force area.

The below link provides an explanation of the national solutions available but, other than the Police National Database facial search option detailed in the first section, currently we have not adopted any other elements of this capability:

Police use of Facial Recognition: Factsheet - Home Office in the media (blog.gov.uk)

I hope this enables you to provide the necessary response to your constituent.

Wishing you a safe and prosperous 2024.

Yours sincerely

 

 

[Embedded Image] [Embedded Image]

On behalf of Jason Hogg, Chief Constable   (:   7:   +: Thames Valley Police HQ Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2NX

protecting our communities