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Council has 130 cameras with facial recognition capability

Source

www.bbc.co.uk

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A black surveillance camera is in the centre of the image, with red buildings in the background blurred out.

Understand

Preston City Council uses facial recognition technology on cameras with one person on its watchlist

Overview

An Freedom of Information request by Liberty Investigates revealed that Preston City Council has over 100 CCTV cameras with facial recognition capability enabled, though a watchlist is only actively used on a single internal camera at the town hall's One Stop Shop. The council stated it uses the technology to deter and detect crime and anti-social behaviour, with no plans to expand its use. Liberty Investigates raised concerns over public consultation and the scope of surveillance, while ten other Lancashire councils reported not using the technology.

Key points

  • Preston City Council has 130 CCTV cameras, with over 100 having facial recognition capability enabled.
  • A facial recognition watchlist is currently used on only one internal camera inside the One Stop Shop at Preston Town Hall, containing just one person.
  • The council stated it has no plans to expand the use of facial recognition watchlists across its wider CCTV network.
  • Liberty Investigates raised concerns about the lack of public consultation prior to the technology's introduction.
  • Ten other Lancashire councils confirmed they do not use facial recognition technology or have it enabled on their cameras.
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