Met defends facial recognition plan for Carnival

The Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, defended the implementation of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology at the upcoming Notting Hill Carnival, emphasizing its importance for public safety. He stated that the technology aids in locating individuals on watch lists amid concerns raised by civil liberties groups, who argue it treats all attendees as potential suspects. Rowley referenced nearly 350 arrests made at last year’s Carnival for serious offenses, highlighting the necessity of LFR in managing safety risks. He acknowledged the technology's shortcomings during its previous use in 2016 and 2017 but noted significant advancements in accuracy since then. The commissioner assured that the police have refined their operational tactics to avoid using LFR within the event's footprint.

Opponents, including organizations such as Liberty and Big Brother Watch, criticized the decision, citing ongoing concerns about racial bias in facial recognition technology. They argue that deploying LFR at a culturally significant event like the Carnival is inappropriate and could exacerbate existing tensions. Rowley concluded by asserting that using LFR to identify individuals posing a public safety risk is a reasonable measure.