A watchdog warns that police could face court action over the use of live facial recognition technology during policing of a protest in London. According to reports, the technology is due to be used for the first time in that setting, with live facial recognition planned for operational use during a protest on Saturday.
The outlets agree that the concern is about whether the planned use is lawful and compliant with the relevant legal and oversight requirements. The watchdog’s warning signals that challenges could be brought through the courts if the deployment proceeds as planned without sufficient legal justification or safeguards.
While the reports focus on the impending use of facial recognition at the protest, they also indicate that the issue is being framed as an oversight and accountability matter rather than an allegation tied to a completed incident. The reports do not detail any specific failures already identified, but they describe the watchdog’s stance that legal action may follow if police proceed with the planned deployment.
