Biometrics

Our work on biometrics technologies focuses on ensuring lawful, accountable deployment. We have a two-pronged approach and balance legal action with working closely with civil society, public bodies and UN agencies to develop best practices, produce evidence-based policy research, and offer compliance advice.

Together with Big Brother Watch, we have filed multiple legal complaints against facial recognition technologies (FRT). This includes a complaint against PimEyes, a facial recognition search engine, and Southern Co-op convenience store, focused on their use of live facial recognition cameras. Our work on FRT has received media coverage from the BBC, Reuters and other outlets.

We produce original policy research on biometric technologies and new legislation. This includes a recent project for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, won by competitive tender, to research law enforcement use of remote biometric identification technologies and provisionally assess such practices under the EU AI Act.

We have deep expertise on biometrics and Digital ID and regularly convene workshops on specific focus areas, such as AI and migration technology, on behalf of UN bodies and civil society groups.

Finally, we are recognised data protection experts on biometric technologies and their use in counter-terrorism, humanitarian, and migration contexts. Our data protection team provides rigorous compliance advisory, including data protection impact assessments, on biometric technologies for UN and international organisations.