Driving License Data Could Boost Police Facial Recognition Efforts

The UK government’s proposed Crime and Policing Bill could grant police access to the driving licence database, raising concerns over potential use for facial recognition watchlists. While the Home Office denies this, human rights groups warn of a major expansion of police surveillance.

Liberty, a human rights group, argues that the bill could turn the DVLA database into a de facto facial recognition tool, enabling police to scan biometric data of millions of law-abiding citizens. Critics fear the lack of transparency surrounding these measures.

Introduced to Parliament on 25 February 2025, the bill also includes measures such as banning face coverings at protests and increasing police authority over anti-social behavior. A key provision grants police access to over 52 million driving licence records, with usage guidelines left to the secretary of state.

Although the bill does not explicitly mention facial recognition, its provisions mirror a previous Conservative proposal allowing police to match licence photos against criminal databases. This raises fears of similar practices being quietly introduced.

Privacy advocates, including Big Brother Watch, argue that using non-criminal databases for facial recognition violates privacy rights and sets a dangerous precedent.
The UK lacks comprehensive laws regulating police facial recognition. Critics argue that the current legal framework is fragmented and inadequate, with limited Parliamentary scrutiny on the issue.

Similar efforts to link facial recognition with passport databases have been criticized by privacy watchdogs. Experts warn that such measures undermine public trust and could be disproportionate and unethical.

With growing concerns, calls for stronger oversight and clearer regulations on police use of facial recognition are intensifying.