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Edmonton Police Test Controversial Facial Recognition Body Cameras in Canada

A bold experiment in policing begins as 50 officers test cameras that instantly match faces to criminal records. Will accuracy outweigh privacy risks?

In this image in the foreground, we can see many people standing, and a person on the left side...
In this image in the foreground, we can see many people standing, and a person on the left side wearing a cap, and at the back we can see the policeman.

Edmonton Police Test Controversial Facial Recognition Body Cameras in Canada

The cameras will capture facial images and compare them against a database of 6,341 people flagged or cautioned by Edmonton police. If no match is found, the images will be deleted automatically. Officers will receive alerts only if the system identifies a suspect with an outstanding warrant for a serious crime.

The trial will assess whether the system improves suspect identification while addressing privacy and accuracy concerns. Results will determine whether the technology meets legal and operational requirements. Edmonton police must ensure compliance with privacy laws before any wider rollout.

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