Published on, Aug. 24 -- August 24, 2025 1:26 PM

Across the United Kingdom, millions of people are now being scanned by real-time facial-recognition systems deployed at supermarkets, festivals, and busy public spaces, making it the only European country using the technology so extensively. Cameras have already been set up at events like the Notting Hill Carnival, where nearly two million visitors are expected, to identify individuals on police watchlists through advanced artificial intelligence.

Authorities argue the system is a powerful policing tool, claiming it has already led to more than 1,000 arrests since 2024. Police vans equipped with cameras monitor crowds, instantly alerting officers when faces match with suspects in official...