Privacy commissioner investigating Calgary Police technology
Posted Nov 5, 2014 11:05 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta’s Information and Privacy Commissioner has launched an investigation into new Calgary Police technology.
Jill Clayton wants to know whether new body worn cameras and facial recognition software comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The investigation aims to develop an understanding of how the technologies will be used, the management of personal information while using them, and what precautions they’ll be taking to protect personal information.
The Calgary Police Service said they believe Clayton’s privacy concerns are legitimate.
Spokesperson Kevin Brookwell said they have requested a meeting with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner in hopes of addressing the issue face-to-face.
The privacy commissioner intends to make the results of the report public.
Brookwell said they are aware of the requirements and have consulted their lawyers.
“We want to have that conversation first, just so they understand where we’re at, what we’ve done, the considerations that have been made, and the thought that has gone into it right from the start, and then we’ll see what we need to do,” said Brookwell.
When it comes to body-worn cameras, he said they have an obligation to the court so images that aren’t relevant to a case will be blurred out.
The Calgary Police Service is the first in the nation to roll out facial recognition software.
