Amnesty International has condemned Police Scotlands plan to adopt live facial recognition technology as a major threat to public rights in Scotland. The group sent a strong letter to top police leaders on October 10, 2025, urging them to drop the idea due to risks of mass surveillance and human rights violations.
Background on Police Scotlands LFR Plans
Police Scotland announced in August 2025 that it would push forward with developing live facial recognition, or LFR, for use in public spaces. This technology scans faces in real time through cameras to match them against databases of suspects. The Scottish Police Authority started a national conversation on the topic in April 2025 to discuss its potential benefits and risks.
The force sees LFR as a tool to boost safety and catch criminals faster. Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors told the authority that work would continue, including tests on technical performance and oversight rules. However, a public consultation showed that nearly half of Scots feel uneasy about the rollout, highlighting early worries.
Experts note that Scotland lags behind other UK areas in deploying this tech. While English forces like the Metropolitan Police have used it for years, Scottish leaders promised a careful approach tied to human rights standards.
Amnesty Internationals Main Objections
Amnesty International called LFR a mode of mass surveillance that scans everyone without consent or reason. In their letter, they argued it clashes with Scotlands duties under international human rights laws, especially on privacy and equality. The group warned that it could harm freedom of assembly, making protests harder for people to join safely.
The organization pointed to bias in the technology. Studies show it often misidentifies Black and Brown people more than others, leading to unfair targeting. Amnesty dismissed claims by police that they fixed these issues as weak and not backed by solid science.
They also demanded a full public report on LFR plans, including human rights checks. Plus, Amnesty pushed for a review of current facial searches in custody, where the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner found big gaps in monitoring.
- Key risks highlighted by Amnesty include widespread biometric data collection without permission.
- Potential to stifle protests and affect marginalized groups the most.
- Lack of strong legal safeguards in Scotland compared to other places.
Legal Challenges and UK Precedents
Courts in the UK have ruled against LFR use before. In 2020, the Court of Appeal said South Wales Polices system broke privacy, data protection, and equality rules. The Metropolitan Police faces lawsuits too, like one from activist Shaun Thompson who got wrongly flagged.
In Scotland, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and others sent a joint letter in June 2025 warning of legal fights and damage to police trust. The Equality and Human Rights Commission joined in, saying it might violate European rights on privacy and free speech.
A table below shows how LFR has played out in major UK police forces:
| Police Force | LFR Deployment Start | Key Issues Faced | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Police | 2020 | Wrong identifications, bias claims | Ongoing use with legal challenges |
| South Wales Police | 2017 | Court ruled unlawful in 2020 | Limited use after reforms |
| Police Scotland | Planned for 2026 | Human rights concerns, no law | Development phase, opposition |
| Greater Manchester | 2021 | Privacy complaints | Trials with oversight |
These cases show why groups fear Scotland could repeat mistakes if it moves ahead without changes.
Broader Reactions and Public Debate
Rights groups beyond Amnesty have spoken out. Fourteen organizations, including Big Brother Watch and the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, issued a joint call in late August 2025 to stop the plans. They worry about racial injustice and a slide toward constant watching.
On social media, users shared strong views. Many posts on platforms like X highlighted fears of a surveillance state in Scotland. SNP members at their conference pushed a motion saying LFR needs new laws from the Scottish Parliament to match human rights standards.
Some supporters, like the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, back limited use if rules are tight. They argue it could help solve crimes, like recent knife attacks or public order issues. A BBC report from March 2025 noted that poor quality custody photos might limit its effectiveness anyway.
Public polls from the consultation revealed mixed feelings. While some see safety gains, others fear it erodes trust in police. This debate ties into bigger talks on tech in policing, like recent EU rules on AI that limit high-risk uses.
What Lies Ahead for Surveillance in Scotland
The push for LFR comes amid global shifts. The EU AI Act bans most public uses, and cities like London face ongoing fights over it. In Scotland, without specific laws, experts say Parliament must step in to avoid court battles.
Amnesty urged the Scottish Government to ban mass surveillance tools outright. They stressed that Police Scotland should focus on rights-based methods instead. Recent events, like protests over climate or equality, show how LFR could chill free speech.
As talks continue, the Scottish Police Authority plans updates in September 2025. Watchdogs call for independent checks to ensure fairness. This decision could shape how Scotland balances safety and freedoms for years.
Readers, what do you think about live facial recognition in Scotland? Share your views in the comments below and spread the word on social media to join the conversation.
