Police trial live face-scanning technology: what could possibly go wrong?

Western Australian police recently finished trialling a technology that can identify people as they walk past – revealing they scanned nearly 1.4 million faces, over a period of five months.

Police say the cameras helped them make 122 arrests and they’re now considering whether to use the technology more widely.

But is catching 122 people worth putting nearly 1.4 million others under surveillance? And how much privacy should Australians be expected to give up in the name of public safety?

Today, we revisit our conversation with UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland, on the dangers of live facial recognition and what happens when police surveillance powers expand.

This episode first aired in June, 2026.

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Guest: UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland

Photo: WA Police

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