The province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner has joined his counterparts across the country in calling for a clear legal framework for police in the use of facial recognition technology.

Privacy commissioners across the country recognize that facial recognition is a tool that, used responsibly, could provide public safety and security benefits. However, they warn, facial recognition can also be extremely intrusive and could enable surveillance at a level never before seen which could erode human rights, yield biased results and impact the right to participate freely in a democratic society.

The joint statement issued Monday calls for a clear and explicit definition of the purposes for which police use facial recognition and a list of prohibited uses. So-called no-go zones should include a prohibition on any use of facial recognition that can result in mass surveillance.

The commissioners also recommend that legislation require police use to be both necessary and proportionate, that the police use of facial recognition technology be subject to strong oversight and that the appropriate privacy protections be in place to mitigate risks to individuals.

Commissioner Michael Harvey notes that the RNC currently does not employ facial recognition technology, but as the tools become cheaper and more readily available, it might be something local law enforcement might consider in the future. He encourages local law enforcement and government officials to review the joint statement and guidance and consult with his office prior to considering any policy on the use of facial recognition technology.