A Live Facial Recognition Policy used by the Metropolitan Police Service has been upheld by the High Court of Justice, marking a significant legal development in the use of surveillance technology in the UK. The ruling, delivered on April 21, 2026, dismissed a legal challenge that questioned whether the policy allows excessive discretion in how facial recognition is deployed.

The case, brought by civil liberties campaigners, focused on whether the Live Facial Recognition Policy complies with protections under the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly rights related to privacy, expression, and assembly. Challenge to Live Facial Recognition Policy and Legal Grounds

The judici...