Conference

On 16 May 2025, the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland and the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner welcomed approximately 70 delegates to the National Conversation on Live Facial Recognition Conference. Delegates were from a variety of organisations who had been engaged in the National Conversation over recent weeks and months. The purpose of the Conference was to summarise the findings of the National Conversation to date, to share learning from other areas of policing and to consider the views of attendees in forming the recommendation of this report.

The conference was independently facilitated by Professor Niamh Nic Daéid from the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee. Inputs covered use of LFR in other jurisdictions and potential regulatory and governance requirements any potential use of LFR would require. Inputs were provided from the Metropolitan Police Service, the National Police Chief’s Council, the Information Commissioner’s Office, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner and the Centre for Research into Information, Surveillance and Privacy - University of Stirling.

The afternoon focused on the sharing findings of the engagement activities of the National Conversation followed by a question-and-answer session. Delegates then discussed the findings and their experience engaging in the National Conversation at their tables.

Mirroring much of the engagement, more detail around proposed use of LFR was mentioned by many delegates as part of the table discussions (e.g. detail on how a watchlist is compiled). In addition, discussions focused on thoughts around evaluation, safeguarding and assurance. While tables were provided these topics separately, discussions tended to cover all topic areas with points raised around:

How a robust evaluation could be assured.

The data that would be required to provide robust evaluation and assurance.

Engagement that should be undertaken (e.g. targeted with certain communities).

Reporting that would be required should LFR be implemented (e.g. annual report similar to Public Sector Equality Duty).

Assurance that bias mitigation had been effective.

The potential role for primary legislation of LFR and independent oversight.

When asked about feedback on the survey results, there was surprise at the divide on comfort with Police Scotland using LFR in the delivery of policing in Scotland (49% ‘very’ or ‘somewhat comfortable’ and 48% ‘somewhat’ or ‘very uncomfortable’). There were also mixed views around Police Scotland’s future work in the area, with some delegates wanting the conversation to stop and others wanting it to continue (with some specifying the conversation should continue but this should not yet progress to a consultation).

Within attendee feedback on the National Conversation in general, there was positivity in it having been conducted, however, there were also areas suggested for improvement (e.g. having more inputs from a human rights or equalities perspectives).

A full write up of the conference will be made available on the Authority’s website.