Mayor refuses to rule out use of live facial recognition at London Pride

The Mayor of London refused to rule out the use of Live Facial Recognition technology at London Pride today after questioning from London Assembly Member Caroline Russell.

Caroline questioned the decision-making over deployment of LFR and sought assurance that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will not use LFR at Pride In London, which takes place on 1 July 2023.

The London Policing Ethics Panel has reported that younger people and Asian, Black and Mixed ethnic groups are more likely not to attend events if they know they will be monitored with LFR. [1]

Caroline said:

"Londoners, particularly younger people and Asian, Black and Mixed ethnic groups who've been over-policed and under-protected, will be wary of attending events where this highly intrusive technology will be used.”

“Up to 1.5 million people attended Pride in London in 2022. That is a lot of people who might stay away if they know live facial recognition will be used.”  

During Mayor’s Question Time today, the London Assembly Member asked the Mayor of London what assurance he could provide Londoners that their civil liberties would be protected at Pride in London, this year.

Over 250,000 faces have been scanned across all non-trial deployments of LFR technology by the MPS, resulting in just 6 arrests. An arrest rate of just 0.002 per cent. [2]

There have already been eight deployments of LFR by the MPS so far this year. More than any other year since the technology has been in use. [3]

Caroline added:

“It was disappointing the Mayor refused to rule out use of live facial recognition at London Pride and was unable to therefore, to give assurance to those attending Pride in London this year that their rights will be protected.”

“In the absence of government legislation on live facial recognition technology to protect public privacy rights the Met should halt its use.”