Surveillance camera commissioner calls for review

The biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner Professor Fraser Sampson has written to paymaster general and minister for the cabinet office Jeremy Quin outlining identified security and ethical issues in the use of surveillance camera technology, and Artificial Intelligence in the same sphere.

The letter lays out the collective impact on public trust and confidence in the legitimate use of new surveillance technology.

Professor Sampson pointed out there has been a call for a review of public space surveillance. This follows a recent Panorama episode named ‘Is China watching you?’.

The commissioner recently met with the Policing Minister and separately with the Cabinet Office and Vincent Devine, the Government Chief Security Officer and pushed the government to address the presence of these systems on its estate.

Professor Sampson said: "Having recently conducted a survey of the police and local authorities’ use of similar technology, I too am of the view that a review is needed, if only to answer the question being asked of us on a daily basis: “just how many of these cameras are pointed at us?”. Having had the benefit of a meeting to discuss these issues in the context of their impact on critical national infrastructure and national security with the Security Minister last year, I now believe the need for a review is supported by the evidenced risks, and the Policing Minister agreed that I would seek an early meeting with you to discuss how such a review might be taken forward."