Government backs bill on biometric technology
The Government has approved the publication of a bill that would allow gardaí to use biometric-recognition technology – including facial images – in certain cases.
Biometric recognition is the automated processing of biometric data in documents – including images or video footage – obtained by gardaí in the course of an investigation.
The would allow for the use of such technologies as a tool to process evidence in serious criminal investigations, matters relating to State security, and for missing-persons cases.
Move will save ‘thousands of hours’
The bill provides for the retrospective use of biometric analysis by gardai, which includes the retrospective searching of images in its possession.
The Department of Justice says that the use of biometric analysis would give gardaí the ability to sort, filter, and compare relevant images from a collection of images or footage, such as CCTV.
It says that biometric analysis will save gardaí “thousands of vital work hours”, adding that current garda investigations can involve teams spending months trawling through CCTV footage, or footage captured on phones or from passers-by.
Judge to report
The department says that the use of the technology will be subject to “strict safeguards” and a publicly available Code of Practice, to be drafted by the gardaí, that will outline the specific data-protection and human-rights controls that must be considered when using this technology.
The use of biometric analysis will be monitored by a High Court judge, who will have the power to access and inspect any official documents or records relating to the use of the technology by gardaí. The judge will submit an annual report to the Taoiseach.
“In introducing legislative change, Government must always balance that right with what is necessary to prevent crime, enhance public safety and maintain national security. This legislation will achieve that balance,” Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has previously criticised the use of such technology in law enforcement and in public spaces.