London Underground is trialing live face scanning from today as privacy groups say it 'treats the public like suspects' — here's how to avoid it

The London Underground will begin live face scanning from today, with British Transport Police scrutinizing images against a watchlist. Privacy advocates argue this intrusive technology treats the public like suspects. The trial, set to continue until November, will initially roll out at Victoria station and subsequently move to other locations.

Police claim the systems identify wanted individuals, such as those suspected of serious crimes or breaching bail conditions. Images that don't match are permanently deleted. While the technology is already in place at other London transport hubs, it's now being extended to the Tube. Clear signage will inform passengers of the cameras, and alternative routes are available.

However, the effectiveness of the system is questionable, with only zero matches, arrests, and a false identification recorded since February. Big Brother Watch leaders criticize the move as a dystopian expansion of facial recognition, treating the public as suspects. Online responses mirror skepticism, questioning the tech's utility and potential for misuse, despite the ubiquity of camera monitoring at public transport stations.