News

‘It has been widely reported in the media that Christopher Philp, a junior Minister within the UK Government serving as Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire (England and Wales) has stated that he plans to integrate the semi-automated...

The Commissioner has written to Police Scotland highlighting his concerns about Police Scotland ‘offshoring’ sensitive Scottish biometric data in the U.S. Cloud. The Commissioner’s letter highlights data sovereignty and data security concerns that arise from Police Scotland uploading biometric data...

On 13 September 2023, the Commissioner met with the Cabinet Secretary at Parliament to discuss the Scottish Code of Practice. Planned assurance activity over the coming months in was also discussed. The Commissioner highlighted the potential for Ministers to consider...

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Dr Brian Plastow has submitted a response to a call for evidence by the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee as part of its pre-budget scrutiny. In his response, the Commissioner highlights siloed working, and calls for more...

Response to the letter for four nations summit on Artificial Intelligence.

Welcome to the June 2023 newsletter for the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Since our last newsletter I have been busy promoting the Code of Practice which was published back in November My team have also been busy producing our Joint Assurance...

On Thursday 15 June, the SPA Policing Performance Committee will consider our recent assurance reviews which examined the acquisition of biometric data from children and vulnerable adults arrested by the police.

Call for urgent four nations summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

On 24 and 25 May 2023, the Commissioner and his team were in Brussels to engage with European stakeholders. The visit was facilitated by Scottish Government to enable the Commissioner to explain the policy and legislative framework around biometrics in...

Dear Carol Monaghan MP, SNP Glasgow North East, I understand that you are a member of the Westminster Committee considering the above Bill. One aspect of the Bill, which is difficult to comprehend, and which has devolution consequences for Scotland...

Scottish Biometrics Commissioner - Dr Brian Plastow lays two joint assurance reviews before Parliament

On 23 February 2023, a motion about the reach of Chinese state surveillance in Scotland (S6M-07832) was laid in Parliament by Alex Cole-Hamilton, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The motion engaged with matters of UK national security and data...