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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 2692 asked in the Legislative Council on 19 November 2019 by Hon Simon O'brien

Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Attorney General
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

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?

Answered on 4 December 2019

(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.