Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 2692

❓ Hon Simon O'Brien questions the Attorney General regarding the use of facial recognition technology by the City of Perth and other entities, seeking clarification on relevant legislation, restrictions, and usage by state agencies. The Attorney General confirms the lack of specific legislation and identifies WA Police as the primary user.

AnsweredQoN 2692Legislative Council

Asked

19 November 2019

Member

Hon Simon O'Brien

Portfolio

Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the use of facial recognition technology by the City of Perth, among others, to monitor Western Australians going about their normal lawful activities, and ask: (a) what legislation, if any, regulates the use of facial recognition technology in public; (b) are State agencies subject to State Government or Commonwealth restrictions and/or protocols on the use of this technology; and (c) which State agencies are using facial recognition technology?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

4 December 2019

Responded by

Leader of the House representing the Attorney General

Response time

9 days

(a) There is no legislation which specifically regulates the use of facial recognition technology in Western Australia. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA) regulates the use of surveillance devices which may be used to obtain facial images.
(b) No, WA Police Force has advised that internal policy governs access to, and use of, facial recognition technology.
(c) As far as can be ascertained WA Police Force is the only State agency using facial recognition technology.

View on Parliament of WA