Post: | Scottish Biometrics Commissioner |
Incumbent: | Brian Plastow |
Incumbentsince: | 12 April 2021 |
Type: | Commissioner |
Seat: | Edinburgh |
Nominator: | Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body |
Appointer: | Scottish Parliament |
Constituting Instrument: | The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020 (Commencement) Regulations 2020 |
First: | Brian Plastow |
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.
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]