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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.

Raising standards through my certification scheme

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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 …

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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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, …