Facial recognition is not the next generation of CCTV. Whilst CCTV takes pictures, facial recognition takes measurements. Measurements of the distance between your eyes, the length of your nose, the shape of your face. In this sense, facial recognition is the next generation of fingerprinting. It is a highly intrusive form of surveillance which everyone – regardless of race or religion – should be concerned about. However, surveillance, like technology, is not neutral.
A report exploring the racial bias challenges of the police’s use of live facial recognition technology in the United Kingdom. It focuses on the implications of the technology for people of colour and Muslims – two heavily surveilled groups in society.