The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner is an independent commissioner in Scotland with the responsibility for setting standards for lawful, effective and ethical practices in relation to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and police purposes by the Police Service of Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
| Scottish Biometrics Commissioner | |
|---|---|
Incumbent since 12 April 2021Brian Plastow | |
| Type | Commissioner |
| Seat | Edinburgh |
| Nominator | Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body |
| Appointer | Scottish Parliament |
| Constituting instrument | The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020 (Commencement) Regulations 2020 |
| Formation | 1 December 2020 |
| First holder | Brian Plastow |
| Website | www |
In April 2022, the Commissioner released a report highlighting legal differences between Scotland and other UK jurisdictions regarding biometric data.[1]
In February 2023, the Scottish Liberal Democrats indicated that they wanted the role to include all forms of biometric data including facial recognition as used by private entities such as shops, schools, supermarkets and other public places.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Scottish Biometrics Commissioner (2022). Code of Practice (PDF) (Report) (0.4 ed.). Scottish Biometrics Commissioner. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
Except for the excluded and reserved functions as previously highlighted in this Code of Practice, it should be noted that the laws in Scotland governing the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and policing purposes are different from other UK jurisdictions
- ^ Scottish Legal News (16 February 2023). "Lib Dems call for expansion of biometrics commissioner role". Scottish Legal News. Scottish Legal News Ltd. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for the role of the biometrics commissioner to be expanded to include all forms of biometric data such as the use of facial recognition technology used in schools, shops, supermarkets and other public places.