Budget Police Tech: Spring Budget Gambles on Funding Controversial Police Technology

• Spring Budget includes £230m for police tech investment in time-saving technology
• Legal questions around facial recognition and cloud technology use by UK police may undermine funding
• Concerns raised about lack of clear rules controlling use of facial recognition technology
• Deployment of US-based cloud infrastructure raises data protection concerns for UK police
• Calls for new legislation to govern law enforcement’s use of biometrics and AI technologies

Exploring the Risks of Funding Legally Questionable Police Tech in the Spring Budget

The Spring Budget announced a significant investment of £230m in police forces to implement productivity-boosting technologies. However, concerns have been raised about the legality of certain technologies such as facial recognition and cloud infrastructure, which could potentially undermine the effectiveness of this funding.

Legal Concerns Surrounding Police Use of Facial Recognition Technology

One of the key technologies earmarked for investment is live facial recognition (LFR), automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). While these tools offer potential benefits in terms of efficiency and crime prevention, there are lingering legal questions surrounding their deployment. The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee (JHAC) has highlighted the lack of clear regulations governing the use of facial recognition by UK police forces. The committee raised concerns about the legality of expanding LFR technology without proper scrutiny or a clear legal basis.

Baroness Hamwee, former JHAC chair, emphasized the importance of establishing a clear legal basis for the use of LFR to ensure public trust and accountability. Calls for new legislation governing the use of biometrics in law enforcement have been echoed by various stakeholders, including the UK’s former biometrics commissioner and the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

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Challenges of Deploying Cloud Infrastructure for Police Tech

In addition to facial recognition, there are significant data protection concerns related to the use of US-based hyperscale public cloud systems by UK police forces. The Cloud Act, which grants the US government access to data stored by US corporations in the cloud, poses a potential risk to the privacy and security of law enforcement data. Compliance with the UK’s stringent law enforcement-specific data protection rules becomes challenging when data is transferred overseas to jurisdictions with lower standards.

The integration of UK police systems with US cloud providers has raised questions about the oversight and accountability of data processing activities. Fraser Sampson, the outgoing biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner for England and Wales, highlighted issues with the deployment of facial recognition capabilities by UK police and warned of the risks associated with the government’s proposed data reforms.

Implications of AI Integration with Cloud Infrastructure in Policing

As the use of cloud-based AI applications expands in law enforcement, concerns have been raised about the legal implications of automated decision-making and data processing. The lack of clear regulations and standards for AI tools hosted on public cloud infrastructure poses challenges in ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Nicky Stewart, former head of ICT at the Cabinet Office, emphasized the need for strategic decision-making around the integration of AI tools with cloud infrastructure. Questions about the consolidation of the AI market around US firms and the potential legal risks of automated decision-making in a policing context highlight the importance of proper oversight and regulation in police tech deployments.

Owen Sayers, an independent security consultant, underscored the legal complexities of automated redaction technologies and the need for new legislation to support the deployment of AI tools in law enforcement. The absence of clear standards and regulations for AI deployment raises concerns about potential legal challenges and data protection breaches.

The Spring Budget’s investment in police tech presents significant opportunities for improving efficiency and productivity in law enforcement. However, addressing the legal challenges surrounding facial recognition, cloud infrastructure, and AI integration is essential to ensure compliance with data protection laws and maintain public trust in policing technologies. Proper oversight, accountability, and regulatory frameworks are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with the deployment of legally questionable police tech.