Exploring the Depths of Public Perceptions: Facial Recognition Technology Appraisals
In a recent survey conducted by our website in partnership with YouGov, it was revealed that a majority of people in the UK (55%) want the government to impose restrictions on police use of facial recognition technology (FRT). This report, titled "Beyond face value", provides insight into public attitudes towards the use of FRT.
The survey, which polled 4,109 adults, found that people fear the normalisation of surveillance but are prepared to accept FRT when there is a clear public benefit, provided safeguards are in place. Most people oppose the use of FRT by companies for commercial benefit.
Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, has called for a moratorium on the current use of FRT. He emphasizes the need for an independent review of the governance ecosystem for biometric data.
Advocacy groups like Liberty have highlighted "incredibly concerning" issues about the lack of regulation for police live FRT systems, stressing risks to civil rights, especially in the absence of independent oversight. There are worries that FRT can exacerbate racial biases, with some local authorities suspending its use until biometric and anti-discrimination safeguards are established.
Incidents such as the wrongful detention of a Black man due to a false FRT match have drawn public attention to the technologyβs fallibility and impact on individuals, fueling calls for accountability and better accuracy standards.
The UK Home Secretary in 2025 confirmed intentions to introduce a "proper, clear governance framework" for police FRT use, reflecting public and political pressure to regulate and create transparency around its deployment.
Many companies in the UK already use FRT for digital identity services, but there is an increasing call for firms to collect and report accuracy rates and ensure fairness and accessibility.
The public supports companies voluntarily pausing sales of FRT to police (50%) and schools (70%) to allow for further public consultation. The survey findings are summarized in the our website's report titled "Beyond face value: public attitudes to facial recognition technology".
In response to these concerns, our website is calling for a temporary halt on the sale and use of FRT while the public is consulted on its use. They also plan to establish the Citizens' Biometric Council, a citizens' assembly supported by the Information Commissioner's Office.
No further trials of FRT should take place until a legislative framework is introduced and guidance on trial protocols and an oversight and evaluation system is established, according to Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP. The High Court has issued a judgment on the use of live FRT technology by South Wales Police, further highlighting the need for regulation in this area.
In summary, while the UKβs police and some companies are increasing use of FRT, the public broadly advocates strong legal restrictions, oversight, transparency, and anti-discrimination protections to mitigate privacy and civil rights concerns.
- As people in the UK express concerns about the normalization of surveillance and the potential risks of facial recognition technology (FRT) to civil rights, especially in the absence of independent oversight, advocacy groups like Liberty urge for stricter regulations.
- The lifestyle of individuals is influenced by the increasing call for companies to prioritize education-and-self-development topics, such as reporting accuracy rates and ensuring fairness and accessibility in their use of FRT for digital identity services.
- In the realm of entertainment, the public's interest in general-news and sports is sparked by incidents involving FRT, such as the wrongful detention of a Black man due to a false FRT match, fueling discussions about accountability and better accuracy standards.
