Top 10 police technology stories of 2024

In March, then-chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a £230m investment in police forces to pilot various technologies, including live facial recognition, automation, AI, and drone usage. Concerns have been raised about the legality of deploying cloud infrastructure and AI-powered facial recognition tools, highlighting the need for new legislation.

The government’s focus on cloud migration and AI tools hosted on US-based infrastructure raises data protection and legal compliance challenges.

Documents revealed that Microsoft cannot guarantee the sovereignty of UK policing data hosted on its public cloud infrastructure. This raises concerns about data protection and compliance, particularly regarding international data transfers.

Police Scotland’s deployment of Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure lacked UK-specific data protection coverage, highlighting potential risks for all UK government users.

The Met Police announced the discontinuation of the Gangs Violence Matrix due to concerns over racial disproportionality. The database disproportionately targeted individuals from minority ethnic communities, leading to criticism from human rights groups.

While the replacement of the database is underway, there are concerns that similar issues may persist, raising questions about the effectiveness of the new system.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer allocated additional funding to the Border Security Command to enhance surveillance capabilities and combat people smuggling. The investment aims to bolster border security through advanced technology and intelligence-sharing initiatives.

Critics argue that the focus on enforcement may lead to increased risks for vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of creating safe and legal pathways for refugees.

MPs engaged in a debate on the use of live facial recognition technology by police, highlighting concerns about privacy, accuracy, and legal frameworks. Calls for specific legislation to regulate facial recognition technology have been ongoing.

Various inquiries and reviews have underscored the need for a comprehensive legal framework to govern the use of facial recognition technology in law enforcement.

Nine police forces are considering transitioning to a cloud-based records management system, posing data protection risks. Despite upcoming data reforms, experts caution against potential challenges associated with US-based cloud providers.

The government’s Data Use and Access Bill could impact data sovereignty and adequacy with the EU, necessitating proactive steps to mitigate risks in the procurement process.

The Metropolitan Police’s claim of support for facial recognition technology in Lewisham faces scrutiny, as minimal consultation with residents and concerns from elected officials are brought to light. Questions have been raised about the community engagement process and the deployment of LFR.

Critics argue that the Met Police’s approach to community engagement lacks transparency and genuine consultation, raising doubts about the legitimacy of LFR deployments.

A Metropolitan Police officer was dismissed for unauthorized access to sensitive files related to Sarah Everard’s case, highlighting concerns about data access protocols. The government’s data reforms could impact accountability and transparency in police data access.

Campaigners and privacy experts warn that the removal of police logging requirements may lead to increased incidents of unauthorized data access, necessitating robust safeguards to protect privacy and accountability.

AI and facial recognition technologies in policing are criticized for perpetuating racial discrimination in the UK. Civil society groups call for the prohibition of predictive and profiling systems in law enforcement to safeguard human rights and prevent discriminatory outcomes.

The use of automated systems in policing has raised concerns about human rights violations and discriminatory practices, particularly affecting marginalized communities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement of the National Violent Disorder Programme raises concerns about increased surveillance and potential infringement on civil liberties. Critics warn of the program’s implications for social movements and civil rights, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in policing.

The initiative to combat violent disorder through enhanced policing capabilities has sparked debate about the balance between security measures and civil liberties, with concerns about potential targeting of peaceful protesters and marginalized groups.