Security News > 2024 > January > UK biometrics boss bows out, bemoaning bureaucratic blunders
The farewell report written by the UK's biometrics and surveillance commissioner highlights a litany of failings in the Home Office's approach to governing the technology.
"My time as the biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner has been interesting, challenging, and at times frustrating, in part because of a lack of engagement across Whitehall and often an absence of support in obtaining the resources needed to fulfill my functions: at no time have I had a full complement of staff," Sampson wrote.
Sampson said it was "Peculiar" that the UK appeared to be "Moving in the opposite direction" at a time when other leading nations are increasing oversight and governance in the areas of biometrics and surveillance.
The IPCO's ability to tackle biometrics was also a concern, not least because of the Home Office's narrow focus on biometrics generally, which largely focuses on just DNA and fingerprints.
Ethical considerations regarding the growing presence of AI will also need to be taken by the public bodies tasked with overseeing biometrics and surveillance in the UK. However, this comes at a time when even the more fundamental aspects of the technologies risk being overlooked by the Home Office's new approach.
"But Sampson is leaving his role with a negative outlook on the future of biometrics and surveillance governance, staunch in the view that the commissioner's role shouldn't be abolished."I am not confident, following my interactions with the Home Office over many months, that the benefits of bringing the two offices together and the multiplicity of work that the single office covers will be readily addressed elsewhere.