South Wales Police will deploy live facial recognition cameras across Cardiff during the Six Nations rugby tournament, sparking controversy over mass surveillance concerns.
The cameras scan the faces of people passing through designated zones, comparing them to a watchlist of wanted individuals using AI technology.
The system automatically deletes data for non-matches, with cameras resembling standard CCTV equipment.
Assistant Chief Constable Trudi Meyrick said the technology "enhances our ability to keep visitors safe from harm".
However, Big Brother Watch's Madeleine Stone warned it creates "an Orwellian zone of biometric surveillance".
Last year, South Wales Police scanned over 156,000 people across eight deployments, including a Six Nations match, resulting in just one arrest.
The Metropolitan Police recorded 146,157 faces across 73 deployments, leading to 209 arrests.
ACC Meyrick defended the technology, stating it "has never resulted in a wrongful arrest" as their understanding has evolved.
Several UK police forces have adopted facial recognition since 2015, with South Wales Police among the leading users.
With that said, do you think police facial recognition cameras are an attack on civil liberties? Vote now in our poll below and have your say in the comments.
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