Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Explained

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]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Scottish Biometrics Commissioner . 2022 . Code of Practice . Scottish Biometrics Commissioner . 0.4 . 2024-07-15 . Except for the excluded and reserved functions as previously highlighted in this Code of Practice, it should be noted that the laws in Scotland governing the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and policing purposes are different from other UK jurisdictions.
  2. Web site: Lib Dems call for expansion of biometrics commissioner role. Scottish Legal News . 2023-02-16. Scottish Legal News . Scottish Legal News Ltd . 2024-07-15 . The Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for the role of the biometrics commissioner to be expanded to include all forms of biometric data such as the use of facial recognition technology used in schools, shops, supermarkets and other public places..