Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Nicole Wootton-Cane

The ‘outrageous’ AI technology at centre of new police row: ‘Unforgivable invasion of privacy’

  • The Metropolitan Police has launched hundreds of investigations into officers flagged by an artificial intelligence tool developed by Palantir, resulting in three arrests for serious criminal offences including sexual assault and misconduct in public office.
  • The Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF), representing over 30,000 frontline officers, is considering legal action against the force, describing the AI's deployment as an 'outrageous and unforgivable invasion of privacy'.
  • The MPF raised concerns that the AI technology, which includes 24/7 geo-location tracking, was implemented without their full knowledge and could monitor officers when off duty, potentially misusing personal data for various purposes.
  • General secretary Matt Cane stated that this use of AI would severely damage officers' trust and morale, questioning its proportionality, GDPR compliance, and adherence to the right to private life under the Human Rights Act.
  • The Met introduced the AI tool to identify potential professional standards concerns following a series of high-profile cases involving its officers, while the MPF has advised members to exercise caution when carrying work devices off duty.

IN FULL

Police federation consider legal action against Met over use of Palantir AI tool to monitor officers

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.