The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has recently taken measures affecting the use of biometric technology and transparency in data usage across various sectors in the UK.

In one significant action, the ICO has ordered a subsidiary of Serco to cease unlawfully processing biometric data to monitor staff attendance in leisure centres. This enforcement has broader implications, triggering companies such as Virgin Active to reconsider their use of similar technologies. The ICO’s decision follows concerns, also voiced by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), regarding the intrusive nature of surveillance technologies in the workplace. Mary Towers from the TUC highlighted the critical role of worker and union consultation in the deployment of new technologies.

Further emphasizing the impact of technology in the workplace, an Uber Eats driver recently settled a case concerning allegations of racially discriminatory facial recognition checks that impacted his work access. This incident has raised additional discussions about the fairness and transparency of artificial intelligence in employment settings.

Separately, the ICO has issued new guidance aimed at enhancing transparency in the healthcare sector, particularly in the handling of sensitive health data. According to Anne Russell from the ICO, maintaining transparency is vital for building trust in health and social care services, especially given the expanding role of technology in these fields. The guidance clarifies how organizations should inform individuals about the use of their personal information, ensuring compliance with existing transparency regulations and reinforcing individuals’ rights to be informed.

These developments all point to the evolving landscape of data protection regulation and enforcement in the UK, as the ICO actively addresses concerns related to privacy, transparency, and technology across multiple sectors.