News
-
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... -
Joint Assurance Review on Fingerprints
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,... -
Commissioner interview on STV re fingerprint review
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. -
Scottish Biometrics Commissioner: Review of Functions
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... -
Scottish Biometrics Commissioner attended the Scottish Parliament
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.