News
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Commissioner writes to new Parliament Criminal Justice Committee
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has recently written to Alyn Smith MSP welcoming his appointment as chair of the Criminal Justice Committee for the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament. In his letter, the Commissioner highlights the work... -
Commissioner signs petition to reset the ICO
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has signed the petition by The Open Rights Group (ORG) calling for the ICO to be re-set. In 2024, Dr Plastow published an Opinion Piece which considered why the (then) UK Government was... -
Outcomes
The Commissioner has today laid his Outcomes Report before Parliament. The report highlights what we have achieved during our first Strategic Plan from 2021/25. -
Code of Practice - public consultation
In the autumn of 2026, the Commissioner will publish an updated Code of Practice. Once approved by Scottish Ministers, this Code will then be required to be brought into legal effect by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under Section... -
Commissioner welcomes new SPA Chair
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has today written to Alasdair Hay CBE QFSM to congratulate him on his appointment as SPA Chair. -
Commissioner writes to new Cabinet Secretary for Justice about Live Facial Recognition
The recent King’s Speech confirmed that the UK Government intend bringing forward primary legislation to support expansion of the police use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) in England and Wales. Accordingly, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Dr Brian Plastow has written... -
Commissioner at Scottish Public Sector AI Conference
On Thursday 21 May 2026, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow is speaking in the leadership session of the public sector AI conference at the University of Strathclyde. The Commissioner will speak on the theme of ethics, trust, and... -
Not All Facial Recognition Is Surveillance
The Biometrics Institute have released this video to demonstrate how facial recognition may be utilised effectively in an ethical and transparent manner within the policing and criminal justice community. -
Commissioner welcomes High Court ruling on Live Facial Recognition in London
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has today welcomed the High Court dismissal of a judicial review challenge by privacy campaigners to the legality of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) policy on Live Facial Recognition. -
Commissioner outlines legislative options on Live Facial Recognition (LFR)
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Dr Brian Plastow has written to the Parliament Criminal Justice Committee following a recent evidence session. The Commissioner has reiterated his support for the future adoption of LFR by Police Scotland and has outlined legislative options... -
Chief Constable discusses SBC Fingerprint Assurance Review at Public Audit Committee
On 11 March the Chief Constable Jo Farrell attended the Public Audit Committee where she was asked several questions on the SBC Fingerprint Assurance Review. -
Biometrics Commissioner and Subject Matter Expert at the Criminal Justice Committee
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...