Facial recognition technology at a Beyoncé concert in Cardiff, Wales, to scan the crowd for potential threats, including paedophiles and terrorists. According to South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael, such surveillance measures have become standard practice at large events following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
Facial recognition technology works by comparing the faces of individuals in a crowd with a "watch list" generated by the police. CCTV footage is recorded and retained for a limited period, usually up to 31 days. While the use of this technology has drawn criticism from human rights advocates who argue it can reinforce discrimination and violate privacy, Mr. Michael defended its use, stating that only images of individuals identified as potential threats are retained.
He emphasized that the issue of governance and oversight is crucial, and he is informed in advance of live facial recognition deployments and the contents of the watchlist. In the case of the Beyoncé concert, the watchlist included individuals known to be involved in extremism and terrorism, as well as paedophiles, given the large number of young girls expected to attend the event.
Mr. Michael expressed his belief that the general approach taken by South Wales Police when using facial recognition technology was appropriate and sensible in ensuring public safety at such events.