Britain's Big Move: Police to Use More Face Scanners

Over a Thousand Arrests Made in London

• Tech in Action: Face-scanning technology is already operational in London.
• Arrests: Over a thousand arrests in just two years.
• Criminals Caught: Includes rapists, abusers, violent criminals, and over a hundred sex offenders who violated their conditions.

Privacy Concerns

• Criticism: Groups like Big Brother Watch express concerns.
• Mass Surveillance: Fear that the UK is moving towards mass surveillance.
• European Laws: Allegations that the UK is violating European privacy laws.
• Scans: Over seven million people scanned last year.

Usage and Government Stance

• Events: Used at big events like soccer matches and festivals.
• Investigations: Helps search through videos from phones, doorbells, and CCTV.
• Government Support: Views it as a significant crime-fighting tool.
• Expansion Plans: Wants to expand its use to catch more criminals.
• Public Discussion: Plans to hold a public discussion on the pros, cons, and privacy protections.

Big Brother Watch's Warning

• Surveillance State: Warns of a surveillance state that even George Orwell wouldn't believe.
• Mandatory ID Cards: Concerns about mandatory ID cards with face scans.

Government's Response

• New Group: Plans to set up a new group to monitor police use of the technology.
• Balance: Aims to balance catching criminals with protecting privacy.