255

Images of arrested people who were innocent of any crimes are still being stored in a police database that may be used for facial recognition purposes, an official report has warned.

In 2012, the high court ruled that keeping the images of people who faced no action or who were charged and then acquitted was unlawful.

Despite the ruling, custody images of innocent people are still on the Police national database, which is available to all UK police forces and selected law enforcement agencies. The images can be used for facial recognition checks of potential suspects.

The annual report of the ­biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner stated: “Forces continue to retain and use images of people who, while having been arrested, have never subsequently been charged or summonsed.

top 8 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] saltesc@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

They do it with fingerprints, genetic samples, and statements... But over all the decades, mugshots its too far!

I think people forget that we used to have everyone's names, addresses, and phone numbers delivered for free to our doorsteps.

[-] CouldntCareBear@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 weeks ago

There's a whole section of law that determines when the police are able to take DNA samples or fingerprints, and more laws for how long they can keep that information.

It's regulated. And bringing face recognition under biometric regulation is a no-brainer.

[-] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

Because police follow the law...

[-] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago

you, uh, know they still make the yellow pages? you can get one yourself.

Also, who ones what property is generally public information. It's difficult to imagine, however, how you owning a certain proprety can be used as evidence, for example, in the killing of an asshole insurance ceo.

Your photograph could be used to link you to that, however.

Also, while it's reasonable to assume the cops have done due diligence on that guy they keep flashing around. But also, it's reasonable to take a step back and ask "how do they know". There's a non-zero chance that guy just popped up on a city-owned surveillance camera and popped on facial rec' because he has similar eyebrows.

There's two massive issues at play with facial recognition. the first is that it's rather far from perfect- especially on shitty and grainy security cameras and the algorithm doesn't get to say "uh, I don't know". it's expected to give a "yes/no" answer (even if they try to soften it with a percentage probability... it's used as a yes-no/) . The second is that cops (and people in general) almost always assume the aglo is right.

So it's entirely possible that the guy in the photo is completely uninvolved.

As for how this is relevant? they need to have photographs to match to; or fingerprints. or DNA. (though they could just as easily use your cousin's... Yeah. you know those DNA ancestry kits you got for xmas? they fucked you over with those.)

[-] TheFriar@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

They can’t grab your fingerprints while you’re walking down the street minding your own business. And genetic samples are regulated. Them building a database of facial recognition in one of the most surveilled countries in the world should be a cause for concern. Think zero privacy. It’s the same with phones. We don’t want that information just out there, tracking every single thing. same concern. (For those of us that care about privacy, that is)

[-] crystalmerchant@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago

Noooo shit. When will we wake the fuck up and realize that all technology is eventually used against you by the state

[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

Also by corporations.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

There's a word for people who's parents weren't married when they were born. It doesn't normally apply to other such people, but in the case of all police officers, maybe?

Edit: Also, why are they all officers? Where are the police enlisted? Why is there no police master sergeant?

this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2024
255 points (98.9% liked)

World News

39378 readers
3246 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS