INCLO Principles on law enforcement use of FRT
To push back against the rise of police use of facial recognition technology, INCLO members produced a set of bare minimum considerations to protect human rights.
Eyes on the Watchers: Challenging the Rise of Police Facial Recognition is a project by the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations (INCLO) that examines the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by police. As this multibillion-dollar industry continues to expand—projected to grow from US $5 billion to US $50 billion by 2030—our network of 15 human rights organizations from the global north and south sees an urgent need to highlight the risks FRT poses to civil liberties and human rights.
We call for a thorough re-evaluation of FRT use in law enforcement. The increasing integration of state surveillance systems, the potential for misuse, and the ongoing impact on individual freedoms demand critical scrutiny. To support this effort, we have developed a set of principles based on a documented analysis of the technology, its applications, risks, and harms, alongside human rights standards and legal frameworks.
The risks of FRT in a policing context cannot currently be safeguarded by legislation and the technology cannot be safely deployed; therefore, police should be banned from using FRT. Our principles do not promote the use of policing FRT, but rather map existing minimum accountability and harm-mitigation standards. They serve as a tool to build consensus around the significant problems posed by FRT and the need for significant restrictions and bans. Focused specifically on police use of FRT for identification, these principles provide a foundation for assessing risks and advancing advocacy efforts.
We believe they will be valuable to policymakers, civil society, legislators, the public, media, courts, and law enforcement.
Visit Eyes on the Watchers and learn more about the FRT principles.