UK oversight bodies probe government data set ethics and biometric strategy

The UK government’s Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group (BFEG) has been tasked with providing independent oversight of the Home Office’s use of large and complex data sets, just as the Commons’ Science and Technology Committee announced it will hold an evidence session to consider Home Office’s “Biometrics Strategy.” The commons committee will call Biometrics Commissioner Paul Wiles, Forensic Science Regulator Dr. Gillian Tully, and the Minister for Countering Extremism Susan Williams as it checks on progress made towards addressing the recommendations made in its 2018 report, as well as evaluating the heavily-criticized Biometrics Strategy and the Forensic Science Regulator Bill.