Tony Porter

Tony Porter was appointed Surveillance Camera Commissioner in March 2014. He has a combination of business and law enforcement expertise. He is an intelligence specialist (most recently within the financial sector) and retired senior police leader. His experience spans community and business engagement, international counter terrorism and serious and organised crime.

Working together on automatic facial recognition

Tony Porter, 10 October 2018 - Facial Recognition Technology, National surveillance camera strategy, Policing, Privacy, Surveillance camera code of practice, Surveillance cameras, Uncategorized

Regular readers of my blog will know that  the Home Office published their  Biometric Strategy in June and in doing so established  a new board (which I sit on) to develop that strategy.  A key challenge for me in participating …

Raising standards through my certification scheme

Tony Porter, 11 September 2018 - ANPR, Biometrics, Body worn video, CCTV, Drones, Facial Recognition Technology, Local authorities, National surveillance camera strategy, Policing, Privacy, Surveillance camera code of practice, Surveillance cameras, Uncategorized

There’s been a lot of focus recently in the press about the potential mass intrusion of surveillance cameras and I’ve recently blogged myself about CCTV in taxis and the use of automatic facial recognition technology. These are big ticket items …

CCTV in taxis - are you talking to me?

Tony Porter, 28 August 2018 - CCTV, Local authorities

Taxi drivers and their passengers want to feel safe when travelling but at the same time they don’t what to feel spied on. Drivers don’t want to be driving their vehicles in their own time with their images and conversations …

An ethical approach to Automated Facial Recognition

Tony Porter, 30 July 2018 - Facial Recognition Technology, Policing, Privacy, Surveillance camera code of practice, Surveillance cameras, Uncategorized

Regulars to my blog will know that my regulatory role in the context of surveillance camera systems extends to the overt use of automated facial recognition (AFR) technology by the police and local authorities. Over the past few years South …

Disclosure: the importance of complying with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.

Tony Porter, 17 July 2018 - ANPR, Body worn video, CCTV, Crown Prosecution Service, Facial Recognition Technology, Local authorities, National surveillance camera strategy, Policing, Surveillance camera code of practice, Surveillance cameras, Uncategorized

The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (the Code) is prepared by the Secretary of State by virtue of Section 29(1) Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. Its purpose being to drive up standards in the operation of surveillance camera systems in …

Release of Biometric Strategy

Tony Porter, 3 July 2018 - Biometrics, Facial Recognition Technology, National surveillance camera strategy, Policing, Privacy, Surveillance camera code of practice, Uncategorized

Well – the long awaited Government Biometric Strategy was released last week. This Strategy  presumes to  set the direction for the use of biometrics by law enforcement agencies and Home Office bodies. It proposes to establish an oversight and advisory …

Buyers Toolkit now available on SCC’s website

Tony Porter, 18 June 2018 - CCTV, National surveillance camera strategy, National surveillance camera stratgey, Surveillance cameras

Alastair Thomas here!  Following user testing and stakeholder consultation, we are delighted to announce that the Buyers Toolkit guidance is now available for download from the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s website. The feedback received by the project team helped to fine …

Memorandum of Understanding between the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and the Forensic Science Regulator

Tony Porter, 30 May 2018 - ANPR, Biometrics, CCTV, Facial Recognition Technology, National surveillance camera strategy, Policing, Privacy, Surveillance camera code of practice, Surveillance cameras

As evolving surveillance technologies continue to present both opportunities and challenges for society, regulators have an ever more critical role to play in ensuring that appropriate legal and ethical standards exist, supported by guidance where necessary to govern their use …

Facing Up To Face Identification Systems (AFR)

Tony Porter, 25 May 2018 - Biometrics, Facial Recognition Technology, National surveillance camera strategy, Policing, Privacy

In providing regulatory leadership in the context of surveillance camera systems, I remain committed to focusing my energies and influence to support and bring about debate to influence change for the public good. This week I called together many respected …

The Regulation of Face Identification Technology

Tony Porter, 17 May 2018 - National surveillance camera stratgey, Policing, Privacy, Surveillance camera code of practice, Uncategorized

I welcome the recent publication of the Big Brother Watch report, concerning face identification technology, as in my view it adds value to a much needed debate on a matter of growing public interest. The public interest demands clear legislation, …

Surveillance Camera Commissioner's Office

This is the official blog for the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Office. We aim to give you updates on the current issues in the sector, share ideas and importantly invite your views on the use of surveillance cameras.

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