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Met Police Chief Rejects Calls to Scrap Facial Recognition at Notting Hill Carnival

Usain Bolt warns against relocating the event, while campaigners raise bias concerns.

Reporting desk London Crime News Desk||2 min read|London Crime News
Met Police Chief Rejects Calls to Scrap Facial Recognition at Notting Hill CarnivalIncident → evidence → outcome
Met Police Chief Rejects Calls to Scrap Facial Recognition at Notting Hill CarnivalThe Guardian — London (embedded from source)

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has rejected calls to cease the deployment of live facial recognition technology during the Notting Hill Carnival. This decision means the technology will remain in use at the annual event.

Campaigner Concerns Over Bias

The use of facial recognition cameras has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue the technology is too racially biased for deployment at the carnival. They have raised concerns about the potential for discriminatory outcomes.

Usain Bolt's View on Relocation

In separate comments, Usain Bolt, visiting the carnival for the first time, stated that any attempt to relocate the event would lead to its destruction. His remarks highlight the cultural significance and established nature of the carnival in its current location.

Officer Conduct Warnings

Additionally, police officers working at the carnival received warnings against engaging in dancing with attendees. This guidance was part of broader instructions regarding officer conduct during the festivities.

Reader briefing

Questions this report answers

Q/A
01Will live facial recognition be used at Notting Hill Carnival?

Yes, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has rejected calls to stop using live facial recognition technology at the Notting Hill Carnival. The technology will continue to be deployed during the event.

02What are the concerns about facial recognition cameras?

Campaigners have raised concerns that the facial recognition cameras used at the carnival are too racially biased. They believe this bias makes the technology unsuitable for deployment at the event.

03What did Usain Bolt say about the carnival?

Usain Bolt, on his first visit to the Notting Hill Carnival, stated that relocating the event would lead to its demise. His comments underscore the importance of the carnival remaining in its current location.

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Notting Hill Carnival facial recognition | London Crime News