The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has examined the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by police forces in England and Wales, highlighting the need for strong data protection governance to maintain public trust Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner for Regulatory Policy at the ICO, said in a blog: “There are clear arguments that live facial recognition can assist law enforcement agencies in preventing and detecting crime. However, its use carries significant risks, including wrongful intervention or arrest from false matches. The benefits need to be balanced alongside the risks, with strong oversight, accountability, and safeguards that meet the requirements of data protection law.” The ICO’s research showed that while people support the use of FRT, their support is conditional on the technology being accurate, unbiased, and respectful of privacy. Over the past year, the ICO audited five police forces, revealing inconsistencies in data protection compliance. While some good practices were identified, significant improvements are still needed. Keaney added: “Strong data protection governance is essential to public trust. Embedding clear safeguards in how FRT is used helps to reassure people and increase confidence that the technology is being used fairly and lawfully.” The audits revealed areas requiring urgent attention, including clear senior oversight, proper record-keeping, appropriate data sources, and steps to reduce the risk of unfairness or bias. Across the five audited forces, the ICO made 107 recommendations, all of which were accepted or partially accepted. In 2025, bias in the algorithm used by UK police forces for facial recognition searches within the Police National Database was reported. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Home Office have put mitigations in place, including staff training and equality impact assessments, alongside plans to replace the algorithm. The ICO continues to engage with the government, NPCC, and other oversight bodies as the legislative