Live facial recognition cameras to be used on UK’s busiest shopping street
Sadiq Khan has indicated the technology will be deployed on London’s Oxford Street despite human rights concerns The Metropolitan police are understood to be planning to use live facial recognition (LFR) technology on Britain’s busiest shopping street. In June, the Met said it would introduce the technology in London’s West End by Christmas and into a further six areas next year. Sadiq Khan, the…
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has indicated plans to use live facial recognition (LFR) technology on Oxford Street, the city's busiest shopping street, despite concerns over privacy and potential discrimination. The Metropolitan Police are set to deploy the cameras, which could be fixed on street furniture, to scan and compare faces against a watchlist of wanted suspects.
This would make Oxford Street one of the first locations in the UK with permanent LFR infrastructure in place. Human rights groups have criticized the plan, with Liberty's Ruth Ehrlich stating it would be a "significant expansion of surveillance in public spaces" and calling for full transparency and safeguards. A survey found 48% of people oppose face scanning on high streets without an immediate threat.
The mayor's office defended the move, saying the technology will make the street "safer" and part of a broader effort to reduce crime, backed by significant funding from the city.
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