A Statutory Code of Practice covering biometric data and technologies
1. Do you believe a statutory code of practice covering the acquisition, use, retention and disposal of biometric data for justice and community safety purposes is required?
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Yes
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No
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It is good to hear that the Scottish Government has expressed concern over the collection, retention and use of biometric data including the advances in new technologies relating to the use of CCTV, and that they have proposed to create a Biometrics Commissioner for oversight.
2. Do you believe the proposed statutory Code of Practice is being applied to the correct individuals/agencies?
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Of course the issues in relation to biometric data capture are complex, and at present the authority (Police Scotland) is collecting data Redacted text.
It is extremely important to ensure that a general code of practice is developed for this type of data retention and storage, ensuring that citizens rights to privacy are met. For this it would seem appropriate for the material gathered thus far to be expunged after a specified time period. Also that in a code of practice, it be clear that this practice of deletion is maintained, preferably for materials to be retained only for a short period. That any practice is transparent and that any misuse of data be punishable, with the commissioner being given powers for oversight and also to refer for judicial review
It is extremely important to ensure that a general code of practice is developed for this type of data retention and storage, ensuring that citizens rights to privacy are met. For this it would seem appropriate for the material gathered thus far to be expunged after a specified time period. Also that in a code of practice, it be clear that this practice of deletion is maintained, preferably for materials to be retained only for a short period. That any practice is transparent and that any misuse of data be punishable, with the commissioner being given powers for oversight and also to refer for judicial review
3. Do you believe the general principles outlined in the statutory code of practice are the right ones?
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Yes
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No
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We are one of the most surveilled societies on earth, next to China and the US. Indeed in China, they are developing systems, at present related to business, that indicate a 'social score' and are using biometric data in this evaluation, there is intention to use this type of technology more widely, which ultimately has an impact on privacy, and fundamentally human rights. Given the fragile democracies that are being maintained at present, any potential that in the future, where say an extreme authoritarian regime were to take power, it would be easy to see how these powers could be abused to control and suppress the citizenry.