Other Writing

European policymakers are poised to make a decision that may require technology companies to scan encrypted messages, claiming it would address child abuse material. However this development rekindles a longstanding debate surrounding online privacy and security.

The Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse, often referred to as Chat Control, [1] is a proposed regulation by the European Union, introduced by Ylva Johansson [2] the European Commissioner for Home Affairs. The EU claims...

Northern Ireland's main political parties have collectively opposed the UK government's recently proposed initiative to implement mandatory digital identification for all UK citizens.

The proposed mandatory digital ID card introduced by the Labour government will feature personal details including name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photograph. Michelle O'Neill, who [1] is the first minister of Northern Ireland, has criticized [2] the proposal for a compulsory UK-wide...

The Plaid Cymru, a Welsh political party has expressed significant opposition to the UK government's proposals, cautioning that the scheme may endanger vulnerable populations and threaten fundamental rights.

The UK government has announced plans to implement mandatory digital IDs for citizens and legal residents to confirm their right to work. The initiative aims to provide a smartphone-based digital ID as a means of enhancing identity verification and reducing illegal employment. The Plaid...

Google has acknowledged that it capitulated to pressure from the Biden administration to eliminate content that did not violate its own guidelines, ending years of denial regarding bias.

The announcement includes a commitment to reinstate access to YouTube accounts that were permanently removed due to political speech concerning COVID-19 and elections, [1] areas in which government officials had exerted behind-the-scenes pressure to influence the narrative according to the Judiciary press...

An online petition advocating against the introduction of mandatory digital ID cards by the UK government has garnered 2 million signatures.

A petition on the UK government website [1] has gained traction following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of a digital ID card scheme during a speech, reaching 2 million signatures. According to the plans, all UK citizens will receive a digital ID, although participation will not be mandatory. The rollout of the scheme is expected to be...

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will not support the UK government’s mandatory digital ID legislation after Sir Keir Starmer plans to move forward with the biometric initiative.

In response to the expectation that the Prime Minister Kier Starmer’s plans for a compulsory digital ID scheme in his speech, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation & Technology Victoria Collins and [1] MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted stated that the Liberal Democrats will [2] not support...

Sir Keir Starmer is set to present proposals for the implementation of digital identification cards for UK residents during the Labour Party conference, however he faces opposition from civil liberties campaigners.

Immigration and asylum continue [1] to dominate political discussions in the UK, with the UK government facing increasing pressure to address the influx of migrants arriving by small boats and the challenges associated with housing tens of thousands of asylum seekers, In September...

The European Central Bank has suggested granting EU capitals greater authority in the development of a digital euro, potentially paving the way for an agreement on the contentious initiative following a year of stagnation, however opposition to the CBDC remains.

The European Commission has [1] introduced a proposal to national government officials regarding the maximum amount of digital euros permitted in digital wallets. Governments have expressed the desire to have the final authority on...

An AI-generated minister has been introduced to the Albanian parliament, showcased as a representation of the government’s commitment to transparency and innovation. However the move has been met with criticism and hostility from the opposition.

Edi Rama [1] the Prime Minister of Albania and leader of [2] the Socialist Party of Albania has introduced [3] a new bot as a representation of his administration's commitment to transparency and innovation. The bot, named Diella meaning sun in...

Sainsbury's has commenced testing the use of facial recognition technology in its UK stores claiming it will address concerns over shoplifting.

Sainsbury's [1] has informed employees at two locations in Sydenham, south-east London, and a convenience store in Oldfield Park, Bath about the launch of an 8 week trial of new technology, with the possibility of a nationwide rollout. Sainsbury's claims that the technology aims to identify shoplifters and address the significant rise in retail crime...

Desmond Swayne MP has expressed opposition to the UK government's announcement regarding the potential introduction of a digital ID system for all citizens, meanwhile Big Brother Watch releases a report examining the dangers of digital ID.

Desmond Swayne [1] an MP for Forest West has responded [2] to the UK government’s plans looking at introducing digital ID to tackle illegal immigration. In a column for the Salsbury Journal, Swayne warns that the potential implementation of this technology...

The UK’s human rights regulator has been granted permission to participate in a forthcoming judicial review that will assess the compliance of the London Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition with human rights legislation.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission or EHRC plans [1] to submit evidence in a legal case concerning Shaun Thompson, an anti-knife crime community worker from London. Thompson was detained by police due to a false match generated by a facial recognition...

The Information Commissioner’s Office has conducted its inaugural audit of facial recognition technology used in policing, examining the implementation of this contentious tool by South Wales Police and Gwent Police.

The audit is [1] a component of a broader initiative aimed at assessing the use of facial recognition technology throughout England and Wales, with an emphasis on governance frameworks, deployment practices, and compliance with data protection regulations. The audit assessed...

Sir Keir Starmer is contemplating the implementation of digital ID cards for all citizens in the UK as part of his strategy to address the ongoing small boats crisis, however privacy campaigners warn the legislation could lead the UK down a dystopian path.

The Prime Minister led an emergency ministerial meeting [1] to discuss the potential use of digital ID cards in addressing the factors that encourage migrants to cross to UK shores. Downing Street did not dismiss the possibility of making...

Poland is initiating a new campaign aimed at attracting users to its national digital identity platform in an effort to accelerate its growth.

The Ministry of Digital Affairs in Poland [1] reported at the end of July that the [2] mObywatel app has achieved 10 million users, marking a rise of one million since the initiation of its popularization campaign in November. Additionally, over 10 million users are utilizing the app's digital identity feature, mDowód, which represents an increase from...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government is focusing on digitizing Pakistan's economy and transitioning financial transactions to a cashless system.

Pakistan is planning to establish digital public infrastructure aimed at issuing digital IDs to all citizens. These IDs will combine national identity cards, biometric data, and mobile numbers to facilitate more efficient electronic payment processes. Shehbaz Sharif who [1] is the Prime Minister of Pakistan has [2] instructed all...

The Milwaukee Police Department has indicated that a decision on the potential expansion of facial recognition technology has yet to be made after backlash from civil rights activists.

The announcement follows formal opposition from city officials and civil rights organizations, who have raised concerns about potential effects on marginalized communities. The department [1] has been in talks regarding a possible agreement with Biometrica, a data and identity platform that facilitates access to...

A report has raised concerns regarding risks and data privacy associated with a new biometric patient identification system being implemented in Spain's autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

The project contract was awarded in 2021 to Dedalus and Facephi for the development of an AI-driven system designed to identify a minimum of 170,000 patients through facial recognition technology. An investigative report by the public interest journalism organization Civio [1] reveals that the system has...

Concerns have emerged that journalists and other civil society members in Uganda are experiencing adverse effects due to the country's growing digital surveillance system.

A detailed report by The Independent addresses a significant issue, [1] referencing the experience of journalist Canary Mugume from NBS Television, who has been a victim of phone thefts in two separate assault incidents he suspects were deliberate. In addition to the stolen devices, Freda Nalumansi Mugambe, [2] who is the...

The police have carried out facial recognition searches utilizing over 150 million images from passport and immigration databases, according to a report published by the privacy group Big Brother Watch. This activity occurred without public disclosure or parliamentary oversight.

Police in the United Kingdom [1] have had access to the nation’s passport and immigration databases since 2020, and Big Brother Watch has reported a significant increase in the number of searches conducted. This...