Police trial live face-scanning technology: what could possibly go wrong?
Jun 23, 2026 •
In Western Australia, police have just started trialling technology that can identify people as they walk past.
A marked police van will scan faces outside major events, cross-checking them against a watchlist of people wanted by authorities. Police say it’s targeted and that innocent people have nothing to fear. But once this kind of surveillance is switched on, the question becomes how far it spreads, and who decides when it stops.
Today, UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland, on the scope creep of live facial recognition technology, and the danger of normalising police powers before the public understands them.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Police trial live face-scanning technology: what could possibly go wrong?
1958 • Jun 23, 2026
Police trial live face-scanning technology: what could possibly go wrong?
In Western Australia, police have just started trialling technology that can identify people as they walk past.
A marked police van will scan faces outside major events, cross-checking them against a watchlist of people wanted by authorities. Police say it’s targeted and that innocent people have nothing to fear. But once this kind of surveillance is switched on, the question becomes how far it spreads, and who decides when it stops.
Today, UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland, on the scope creep of live facial recognition technology, and the danger of normalising police powers before the public understands them.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Arielle Richards, Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Ruby Jones, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
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