WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Blog posted by: Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner |
In this blog, I want to focus particularly about how Automatic Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) is used in law enforcement. FRT is increasingly deployed by police forces at public events like the Notting Hill Carnival or big football matches, for example the last year’s Champions League final in Cardiff. Technological advances in the last 20 years have rapidly increased the ability of online systems to identify individuals. These advances can make many transactions straight forward, such as passing through passport control or unlocking a mobile phone but they can also increase the risk of intruding into our privacy. Technology represents both a risk and an opportunity and this is why I have recently published our first Technology Strategy which addresses these new technological developments and ensures the ICO can deliver the outcomes which the public expect of us. One particular development is the use of biometric data, including databases of facial images, in conjunction with Automatic Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). The technology has been available for some time but the ability of the technology to be linked to different online databases, with mobile & fixed camera systems, in real time, greatly increases its reach & impact. I have identified FRT by law enforcement as a priority area for my office and I recently wrote to the Home Office and the NPCC setting out my concerns. Should my concerns not be addressed I will consider what legal action is needed to ensure the right protections are in place for the public. |
Researched Links: |
ICO: Facial recognition technology and law enforcement Surveillance Camera Commissioner: Response to the Big Brother Watch report Surveillance Camera Commissioner publishes civil engagement plan In Your Face: China's all-seeing state - BBC News Chinese man caught by facial recognition at pop concert - BBC News Face recognition police tools 'staggeringly inaccurate' - BBC News Facebook facial recognition faces class-action suit - BBC News Facebook seeks facial recognition consent in EU & Canada - BBC ... First UK ePassport gates opened in Paris New eGates at Heathrow Airport signal future of expedited travel Speech to the RESPECT security, convenience and privacy event |
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Editor’s choice of other ICT items of note: |
NHS Digital : New £1m funding for innovative digital adult social care pilots |
Ensuring there are people ready to answer ‘cries for help’ |
Funding given to local communities that are worst affected by suicide to develop suicide prevention & reduction schemes. The investment, announced by the DHSC, Public Health England and NHS England marks the start of a 3-year programme worth £25mn that will reach the whole country by 2021. It forms part of the government’s commitment to reduce suicides in England by 10% by 2021 and will support the zero suicide ambition for mental health inpatients announced by Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt in January of this year. Currently one person every 90 minutes dies by suicide in the UK and approximately two thirds of these are not in contact with mental health services. The funding, which has been allocated to 8 sustainability & transformation partnerships (STPs) with a high level of need, will help to ensure people know high-quality confidential help is available within their community. It will include targeted prevention campaigns for men; psychological support for people with financial difficulties; better care after discharge; and improved self-harm services for all ages. The funds are set to improve suicide prevention strategies, signposting & raising awareness through to improving quality for safer services and will help drive better surveillance and collection of data on suicide, attempted suicide & self-harm. |
Researched Links: |
DHSC: New funding for suicide prevention in England NHS England: Mental health “game-changer” care leads to 75% reduction in hospital admissions NHS England: Suicide prevention & reduction NHS Confed: Suicide prevention funding is welcome & timely, says Mental Health Network ScotGov: Mental health conversation LGA responds to NSPCC report on school referrals for mental health treatment Cinderella Service’ is given some cost saving advice How to help the ‘casualties’ of modern society DfE: Education Secretary marks Mental Health Awareness Week in Hastings |
Donation via your Will unlikely to succeed! |
Including a decision to donate organs after death in a Will, without registering a decision on the Organ Donor Register or talking to loved ones, could leave it too late to save a life. It is a fairly common request for a Will to include a statement in regards to organs being donated for transplant after a person’s death. Law firm Watkins & Gunn, who has offices in Cardiff, Newport & Pontypool, say around 1 in 10 people include their organ donation decision in their Will. However, it’s likely to be far too late for you to become a donor by the time your Will is read. Only 1% of the population die in a way that means they can donate because organs have to be transplanted very soon after death and can only be donated by someone who has died in a hospital, under particular conditions. Specialist Nurses for Organ Donation will check to see whether an individual is on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and in addition, the family of a potential donor will always be consulted. However, if individuals don’t tell their family of their decision to donate, the family may not honour that decision and over-ride the organ donor registration, or not support deemed consent. |
Researched Links: |
WAG: Leaving your organ donation decisions to your Will could be too late Give the gift of life – become a living donor CO: Government announces consultation on organ donation opt-out system Families in Wales encouraged to “have the chat” about organ donation wishes ScotGov: Increasing organ and tissue donation Lives saved in first six months of new organ donation system 74% of people in Wales now aware of new organ donation system Revolutionary new law to increase donor rates comes into force in Wales |
SME Supplier Locator update... | ||
UK Government and public sector spend with SME’s is continually on the increase and by 2020, it is the stated intent of Cabinet Office that £1 of every £3 spent on government contracts goes to SME’s. Against this ambitious backdrop, the WiredGov Supplier Locator service has been developed specifically to embrace the SME Agenda and provide the ideal platform for SME’s to promote their services, solutions, accreditation and success stories directly to our ever increasing audience across all government and public sector verticals and Tier 1 suppliers. Recent arrivals to the SME Supplier Locator service include:
Click here to find out more. |
Editor’s choice of other Health related items of note: |
Nice view, but difficult to escape from |
The government welcomed Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations & Fire Safety, and has made commitments to make sure people living in high-rise buildings are safe. The government has committed to:
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Researched Links: |
MHCLG: Government commits to major building safety reforms MHCLG: Update on fire doors investigation – risk to public safety remains low MHCLG: Radical reform’ of building regulatory system needed, finds Dame Judith Hackitt MHCLG: Government announces it will fully fund unsafe cladding removal in social housing MHCLG: Update on fire doors investigation – risk to public safety remains low EHRC: Grenfell: Hackitt Review cladding recommendations disappointing LGA responds to PM's cladding funding pledge Fire Safety of Construction Products The ‘heated debate(s)’ will continue well beyond the summer A shocking tragedy not helped by the actions of a few ‘so called’ activists Barratt Developments agree to pay fire safety costs Government consults on proposals to toughen rules on building safety LGA responds to Hackitt Review interim report into building regulations and fire safety TUC publishes new guidance on fire safety following Grenfell tragedy Government completes large-scale fire safety testing programme Ensure that recladding work meets building regulations advises expert panel |
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