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24 November 2023 / Michael Zander KC
Issue: 8050 / Categories: Opinion , Technology , Artificial intelligence
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Mind the (biometric) gaps

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Abolishing the post of the biometrics commissioner would be a mistake, says Michael Zander KC

When I first read that the government intended to abolish the joint posts of Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner (BSCC) I was concerned, but I am not an expert in this technical field and felt unable to judge. But I am now wiser—or at least better informed.

The 2021 consultation paper issued by the then Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: ‘The government will explore the potential for further simplifying the oversight framework by absorbing the functions of those commissioner roles into the ICO [Information Commissioner’s Office] which should bring benefits to data controllers and the public with a single route for advice, guidance and redress,’ (Data: A New Direction, September 2021, para 410).

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill Pt V provides that the commissioner functions would be transferred instead to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. Part V is sponsored by the Home Office.

The Bill completed the commons committee stage

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