News

On 11 March, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner and our Subject Matter Expert attended the last Criminal Justice Committee meeting before the Parliamentary break for elections. Among items discussed were the Fingerprints assurance review and the request to increase the function...

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has today (10th March 2026) published the findings of a joint review carried out to provide assurance that the ‘acquisition, retention, use and destruction of fingerprints for policing and criminal justice purposes in Scotland is lawful,...

Today the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has appeared on STV to discuss our recent Joint Assurance Review of the Acquisition, Retention, Use and Destruction of Fingerprints for Criminal Justice and Police Purposes in Scotland.

The Scottish Government consultation on the functions of the SBC and whether they remain appropriate or whether they should be made. Under Section 6 of the 2020 Act Scottish Ministers are to prepare and publish a report on the on...

On Thursday 15 January the Commissioner and Business Support Officer attended the Scottish Parliament to host a stall to showcase the work of the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner.

Police Scotland and SPA are currently consulting on their joint draft Biometric Strategy.

The Biometrics Update has published an article following the submission of the Commissioner response to the Home Office consultation on new legal framework for England and Wales.

Welcome to the December 2025 newsletter for the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Since our last newsletter I have laid our 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts and the first statutory review of our Code of Practice. I have also laid our 2025/29...

The Commissioner has provided the following response to the Home Offices consultation on potential new blueprint and legal framework for England and Wales on law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition, and similar technologies.

The Commissioner and Director gave evidence to the SPA Board today on various matters including our new Strategic Plan. In a discussion about the review of SBC functions by Scottish Government, the Chief Constable stated that she would welcome any...

The annual global Biometrics Institute Congress takes place in London on 15 and 16 October. This is the largest global gathering of biometric practitioners, government, regulators, civil society, and academia, with delegates from the United Nations, FBI, Interpol, UKG, European...

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has accepted an invitation to deliver the annual ILPC lecture at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London on 20 November 2025.