Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) compliant with Scottish Biometrics Commissioner's Code of Practice
The Commissioner has today published the first annual assessment on compliance with the Scottish Code of Practice by the PIRC. The Code of Practice relates to the use of biometric data under the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020 and therefore solely to matters within the devolved competence of the Scottish Parliament.
The Commissioner’s overall determination for 2023/24 is that the PIRC are using biometric data and technologies in a lawful, effective, and ethical manner and are currently compliant with the Scottish Biometric Commissioner’s Code of Practice. In the year since the Code of Practice was approved by the Scottish Parliament, no complaints have been received about the inappropriate use of biometrics from data subjects.
The Commissioner has today said ‘I wish to congratulate the PIRC on achieving compliance with the Scottish Code of Practice. Biometric data and technologies are used extensively for policing and criminal justice purposes and make a valuable contribution to community safety in Scotland. When used in a lawful, effective, proportionate, necessary, and ethical manner, they also help promote public confidence and trust’.