Use of live facial recognition technology in public by the Queensland Police Service.

The Commissioner of Police

GPO Box 1440

BRISBANE QLD 4000

commissioner@police.qld.gov.au

Dear Commissioner

I am writing to you on behalf of the Council about the possible use of live facial recognition technology in public by the Queensland Police Service.

This letter is prompted by this  article which discusses the use by Western Australia police of live facial recognition technology in marked vans parked at various locations around Perth.

I begin by saying that the Council is opposed to the use of live facial recognition technology in public places, whether they be publicly or privately owned. We are on the precipice of a completely different world, where our open societies are turned into systems of constant surveillance. The panopticon on steroids.

That said, we write to ask whether there are any proposals by the QPS to introduce such technology and if so, where and how it is to be used.

We ask whether, if a proposal has been evolved, that proposal has been subjected to any of the following processes:

1.    A privacy impact assessment

2.    Consultation with the Privacy Commissioner

3.    Consultation with the Human Rights Commissioner

If no proposal currently exists with regard to the use of this technology, we submit that any proposal should be subject to those processes.

We further submit that any policy needs to clearly

1.    Identify the criteria as to who is placed on any watchlist, including whether it is to include people deemed to be at “risk of harm”, “victims” and “associates” of other people on a watchlist

2.    Specify what areas are proposed to be the subject of this technology and if unspecified, the criteria by which the areas are to be determined

We ask to be given the opportunity to review any proposed policy.

We look forward to your reply