South Wales Police and Gwent Police have unveiled a new facial recognition app, Operator Initiated Facial Recognition (OIFR), aimed at improving the efficiency of identifying individuals in various situations. The app has already been tested by 70 officers in South Wales, with authorities emphasizing its potential to aid in compassionate family notifications, expedite arrests, and resolve mistaken identity cases without requiring trips to police stations.
How the Technology Works
The OIFR app captures a "probe image" — typically sourced from CCTV footage or mobile phones — and analyzes facial features to compare them with custody images in a shared police database. The technology promises to ensure faster identification while adhering to strict privacy standards. Police clarified that images taken using the app will not be stored, and photographs from private spaces will only be used in cases involving significant harm.
Benefits Highlighted by Police
Assistant Chief Constable Trudi Meyrick of South Wales Police stated that the app enhances their ability to confirm identities quickly and accurately. Meyrick stressed the app’s limited use, ensuring it is employed only when necessary and proportionate.
Gwent Police's Assistant Chief Constable Nick McLain echoed this sentiment, calling the technology a key component of modern policing. "We ensure human oversight and ethical use, with no evidence of racial, age, or gender bias during testing," McLain assured.
A Controversial History
The announcement comes years after South Wales Police faced backlash for using Automatic Facial Recognition (AFR) technology. In 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled AFR unlawful following a challenge by civil rights group Liberty and Cardiff resident Ed Bridges. While the court acknowledged the technology’s proportionality, Bridges reported distress over being identified by AFR, fueling public concern.
Privacy and Rights Concerns
Despite police assurances, the app has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups. Big Brother Watch’s Mark Hurfurt warned that the app risks undermining fundamental rights, saying: "In Britain, none of us has to identify ourselves to police without very good reason, but this unregulated surveillance tech threatens to take that right away."
Charlie Whelton from Liberty labeled the technology a "deeply invasive breach" of privacy and equality laws. He called for stronger government safeguards to protect citizens from unwarranted surveillance.
Balancing Safety and Privacy
The debate over facial recognition technology highlights a tension between modern policing methods and individual rights. While police view OIFR as a tool for enhancing public safety, critics argue its use raises critical questions about surveillance and accountability.