UK police forces have begun deploying mobile facial recognition vans to scan crowds in public spaces, sparking fierce debate over privacy and civil rights. The Home Office confirmed the use of the technology, which captures and analyses faces in real-time, comparing them against watchlists of wanted individuals.
How the Technology Works
The vans, equipped with advanced cameras and AI-driven software, can scan thousands of faces per minute. Authorities claim the system helps identify suspects linked to serious crimes, including terrorism and violent offences.
Public Backlash and Legal Challenges
Civil liberties groups have condemned the move, calling it an 'Orwellian overreach' that risks normalising mass surveillance. Critics argue the technology is prone to errors, particularly in misidentifying women and ethnic minorities.
Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, stated: 'This is a dangerously authoritarian tool that turns citizens into walking ID cards.'
Government and Police Defence
The Home Office insists the technology is used proportionately and with strict oversight. A spokesperson said: 'Facial recognition helps keep communities safe by swiftly locating dangerous individuals.'
Police forces claim the system has already led to arrests in cases that would otherwise have gone unsolved.
What’s Next?
With legal challenges mounting and public scrutiny intensifying, the future of facial recognition on UK streets remains uncertain. Campaigners are pushing for stricter regulations or an outright ban.
