UK Combines Biometrics, Surveillance Camera Commissioner Roles

The United Kingdom government has combined the previously separate roles of Biometrics Commissioner and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, and has found someone to fill the new role. Home Secretary Priti Patel has now appointed former police officer Fraser Sampson as its Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner.

As IFSEC Global reports, Sampson brings to the role 14 years of experience as a police officer for West Yorkshire Police and the British Transport Police. He was also the Chief Executive of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner in North Yorkshire from 2016 to 2019, and is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

“It is vital the Government works to empower police to use technology to keep the public safe while maintaining their trust and Fraser Sampson’s extensive experience in law and policing makes him the right person to take up this role,” commented Patel.

Sampson officially began in the new position on March 1, 2021. With respect to the role of Surveillance Camera Commissioner, he will replace Tony Porter, who was responsible for a report, issued toward the end of last year, calling for more rigorous oversight of the use of facial recognition by law enforcement. After departing his role, Porter joined facial recognition specialist Corsight AI as its Chief Privacy Officer.

“Great to welcome my successor Fraser Samson who will take up the dual role of Biometric and Surveillance Camera Commissioner,” Porter wrote in a LinkedIn post. “Tough job with many challenges. I wish him the best and I am sure he can rely upon the same support, challenge , advice and guidance that I enjoyed.”

For his part, Sampson did not shy away from the controversies of the police’s use of biometric technology, asserting, “I look forward to working with all partners in what is a fast-moving and challenging area of balancing the public interest considerations with the rights of individuals.”

Source: IFSEC Global

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March 10, 2021 – by Alex Perala