Critics denounce Fraser Samson’s hiring as an “outrageous conflict of interest” amid the deployment of monitoring technology in UK high streets
The recently departed overseer of facial recognition technology monitoring has joined the private company he controversially endorsed, paving the way for widespread deployment of biometric surveillance cameras in high streets nationwide.
In a development labeled by critics as an “outrageous conflict of interest,” Professor Fraser Sampson, the former Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, has taken on the role of non-executive director at Facewatch.
Sampson concluded his watchdog role on October 31, and Companies House records indicate his registration as a company director at Facewatch on November 1. Activists suggest this could imply negotiations for his Facewatch contract occurred while he held public office, prompting calls for an investigation by the advisory committee on business appointments to assess whether it might have compromised his duties in public service.
Facewatch employs biometric cameras to verify faces against a watchlist and, despite widespread concerns about the technology, has garnered support from the Home Office. It has already been implemented in numerous high-street shops and supermarkets.
Mark Johnson, the advocacy manager at Big Brother Watch, remarked that Sampson’s hiring presents a “murky picture.” He further stated, “It cannot be acceptable for those in taxpayer-paid oversight roles to negotiate contracts with the very companies they scrutinize while still in post.
The use of facial recognition surveillance in the UK lacks specific regulations. With this Orwellian technology already operating in a legal void, the presence of a revolving door between those responsible for scrutinizing its use and those selling it is concerning. When the independence of public officials is compromised by private interests, it erodes public trust in our institutions.
However, Sampson countered, stating that after the government proposed eliminating his position, he publicly wrote to the home secretary on August 1, providing three months’ notice. Following this, he received a formal invitation to join Facewatch. “I notified the Home Office and implemented specific measures to avoid any potential conflict of interest, however minimal it might be. I am confident that no such conflict occurred,” Sampson asserted.
He further commented, “I also communicated my intention to accept the appointment in November to Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Jennifer Rubin. Having adhered entirely to my terms of appointment and receiving no conditions or restrictions from the Home Office, I was able to assume the position on November 1.”
Sampson’s transition may prompt an examination of decisions made during his term, a period in which Facewatch secured the distinction of being the first facial recognition business to gain the watchdog’s endorsement. In March of this year, Sampson granted Facewatch its certification mark for meeting all requirements outlined in the surveillance camera code of practice, specifically for the utilization of live facial recognition.
Big Brother Watch highlighted that Sampson’s certification of Facewatch occurred amid an investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office. During this inquiry, “various areas of concern” regarding the use of individuals’ personal data were identified.
This transpired at a juncture when concerns about privacy and human rights related to facial recognition technology were escalating. Concurrently, the EU was actively pursuing legislation to prohibit the use of this technology in public spaces.
Critics argue that the technology is prone to inaccuracies and biases, particularly against individuals with darker skin tones.
Sampson expressed in a statement, “Becoming part of Facewatch was a straightforward decision. They have actively sought scrutiny, assessed their practices and policies, and promptly addressed concerns to ensure their operations adhere to legal and ethical standards.”
Nick Fisher, the chairman of Facewatch, stated, “Facewatch aimed to bring in Professor Sampson as a constructive critic. His appointment reinforces our dedication to responsible and lawful use of facial recognition for crime prevention and the protection of individuals from becoming crime victims.
