Facial recognition in central London raises concerns

A private developer's use of facial recognition technology at a 27.1-hectare commercial site in central London has raised questions from the public and the mayor of London.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has written to the owner of a King's Cross development asking of the company believes its use of facial recognition software in its CCTV systems is legal. Google's British headquarters is located in one of the site's buildings.

Property developer Argent said it was using the cameras "in the interests of public safety" in King's Cross, mostly in an area north of the railway station, but the precise uses of the technology remain unclear.