By Aubrey Allegretti, news reporter
An investigation has been launched into the use of facial recognition cameras in London's King's Cross.
The Information Commissioner's Office says it is "deeply concerned" by reports that the controversial technology was being used at King's Cross Central.
Major rail stations King's Cross and St Pancras – as well as restaurants, cafes, homes and a Google campus – are based at the 67-site acre site.
It is not clear how long the system has been active, nor how many cameras are in use. Thousands of people pass through the area on a daily basis.
Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: "Scanning people's faces as they lawfully go about their daily lives, in order to identify them, is a potential threat to privacy that should concern us all.
Advertisement
"That is especially the case if it is done without people's knowledge or understanding.
"My office and the judiciary are both independently considering the legal issues and whether the current framework has kept pace with emerging technologies and people's expectations about how their most sensitive personal data is used."
More from UK
Ms Denham added that "detailed information" is being requested concerning how the technology is used so the ICO can determine whether it complies with data protection law.
Earlier this week, London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote to the chief executive of the development to raise his concerns about the use of facial recognition.
Argent, the property developer for the area, has told the Financial Times that "sophisticated systems [are] in place to protect the privacy of the general public".
The Canary Wharf area of London is said to be considering a similar scheme.
Sky News
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
