UK Home Office covertly backs facial recognition cameras in retail shops

The UK Government’s security department has covertly made plans to support the rollout and installation facial recognition technology in high street shops and supermarkets, according to the Observer.

The Home Office allegedly penned the strategy in March during a closed-door meeting between policing minister Chris Philp, senior Home Office officials and facial recognition camera firm Facewatch.

According to the report, those in the meeting came to an agreement to write to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) promoting the technology for tackling “retail crime”.

Facial recognition cameras have come under a lot of scrutiny over human rights issues and for having a racial bias.

In 2021, the US facial recognition firm Clearview AI saw a £17 million fine from the UK’s ICO for collecting images and data of British people without their knowledge from places such as social media platforms.

According to the minutes obtained of the meeting, Philp planned to push the “benefits of privately owned facial recognition technology” in retail crime to the ICO and would “consider a speech to bring the benefits of FR [facial recognition] to the fore.”

“CP [Chris Philp] reiterated that the ICO are independent and he can’t attempt to change their rulings or opinion” state the minutes as obtained by Big Brother Watch through a freedom of information request.

Mark Johnson, advocacy manager of Big Brother Watch commented: “The Home Office must urgently answer questions about this meeting, which appears to have led officials to lean on the ICO in order to favour a firm that sells high invasive facial recognition technology.”

“Government ministers should strive to protect human rights, not cosy up to private companies whose products pose serious threats to civil liberties in the UK,” he added.

A Home Office spokesperson has responded to reports: “Shops are at the heart of our communities, and it is important that businesses are free to trade without fear of crime or disorder.”

“New technologies like facial recognition can help businesses protect their customers, staff and stock by actively managing shoplifting and crime.”