IFSEC Insider is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
James Moore is the Managing Editor of IFSEC Insider, the leading online publication for security and fire news in the industry.James writes, commissions, edits and produces content for IFSEC Insider, including articles, breaking news stories and exclusive industry reports. He liaises and speaks with leading industry figures, vendors and associations to ensure security and fire professionals remain abreast of all the latest developments in the sector.
August 21, 2023
Sign up to free email newsletters
Nothing found. Please check your show/episode id.
Download
State of Physical Access Trend Report 2024
People news
Biometrics & Surveillance Camera Commissioner resigns as post looks set to be abolished
Behind the resignation is the expectation that the functions of the Biometrics & Surveillance Camera Commissioner are to be subsumed by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The Bill makes amendments to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, where both the office of Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material and the office of Surveillance Camera Commission will be abolished.
The Surveillance Camera Code is also being abolished as a result.
In the Bill’s explanatory notes, the Government argued that by doing so, it will “simplify oversight and remove duplication of functions”, with the ICO already having oversight of the use of personal data captured via surveillance camera systems.
The ICO will consequently continue to provide independent guidance and regulation of the use of surveillance camera systems, designed to make it “easier for the police, local authorities and the public to understand and comply with any requirements”.
Overall, the Bill is intended to make the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) more practical and less burdensome, while maintaining high data protection standards. It is expected to pass through the legislative process and become a new Act sometime in 2024.
He had highlighted that the functions of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, in particular, was a strategic role in providing oversight of the surveillance of public space. In a letter in November 2021, he explained:
“Both functions are about much more than upholding data rights. Proposing their absorption by the ICO is to misunderstand their specific nature and importance of both.”
Subscribe to the IFSEC Insider weekly newsletters
Enjoy the latest fire and security news, updates and expert opinions sent straight to your inbox with IFSEC Insider's essential weekly newsletters. Subscribe today to make sure you're never left behind by the fast-evolving industry landscape.
Biometrics & Surveillance Camera Commissioner resigns as post looks set to be abolishedProfessor Fraser Sampson, the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner for England and Wales, will step down from his role in October.
James Moore
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
Related Topics
Three-way security partnership launches FaceComply to offer expert advice on facial recognition use
Digging into Access Control as a Service – Misconceptions, nuances and challenges to wider adoption
ICO clears live facial recognition system from Facewatch as legally compliant