UK Privacy Concerns Rise as Police Scan 50,000 Faces Daily

Published Date : 9/25/2025 

The Metropolitan Police in the UK are scanning over 50,000 faces daily using live facial recognition technology, despite ongoing privacy and regulation concerns. 

There is an increasing number of faces being scanned by a live facial recognition system in the UK, despite persistent concerns that the technology is being used without proper safeguards. Telegraph reports that up to 51,000 faces were scanned in a single day by the LFR technology around London Underground stations in August.

The Metropolitan Police have been expanding the use of LFR in these stations as part of their efforts to curb crime. Last month, the UK Home Office announced the deployment of more police vans equipped with the system, with plans to cover more public spaces in England and Wales. Live feeds from faces scanned by the surveillance cameras are matched in real-time using NEC biometric software to identify individuals on the police watchlist.

As the number of names on the wanted list has increased to over 16,000 in 2025 from under 7,000 in 2022, the number of scans per day has also risen from less than 12,000 each day. The police say more than 1,000 offenders have been arrested thanks to the live LFR system since its introduction in London, with over 700 of them already charged. A spokesperson for the police told Telegraph that some of those caught are wanted for serious crimes such as domestic abuse and rape.

Officers assert that the Met is relying on the LFR system to strengthen the fight against criminality and that appropriate safeguards have been put in place. However, rights advocates continue to criticize the move. Charlie Whelton, a policy and campaigns officer, stated that “it’s incredibly concerning to see an expansion of facial recognition, especially at a time when there is a complete lack of regulation governing its use.” He warned that the UK government must immediately work on legislation to regulate the technology and that robust safeguards are needed around its use.

As debates continue, a judicial review into the use of the technology has been planned, and a UK rights regulator was recently granted permission to participate in the process, specifically to assess whether the deployment aligns with human rights law. There are ongoing consultations to develop a new regulatory framework for the system, which the police say is intended to keep the streets of cities around the country safe. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the primary concern with the use of facial recognition technology by the UK police?

A: The primary concern is the lack of proper regulation and safeguards, leading to potential privacy violations and misuse of the technology.

Q: How many faces are being scanned daily by the LFR technology in London?

A: The LFR technology is scanning up to 51,000 faces daily in London Underground stations.

Q: What is the main purpose of the LFR system according to the Metropolitan Police?

A: The main purpose of the LFR system is to curb crime and enhance public safety by identifying individuals on the police watchlist.

Q: What is the current status of the judicial review into the use of facial recognition technology?

A: A judicial review has been planned, and a UK rights regulator has been granted permission to participate in the process to assess the alignment of the technology's deployment with human rights law.

Q: How many offenders have been arrested thanks to the LFR system since its introduction in London?

A: More than 1,000 offenders have been arrested thanks to the LFR system, with over 700 of them already charged. 

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