McKeon, Caoimhe (2023) Challenging the pixels of power: A critical inquiry into police use of facial recognition technology through the lens of surveillance studies. Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.

Preview

Download (596kB) | Preview

Abstract

The increasingly prevalent roll out of surveillance-focused technological tools by law enforcement worldwide has the ability to alter the practice of policing as we know it. Therefore, understanding the potential ramifications of implementing such technology into the criminal justice space is imperative. This dissertation employed a comparative case study analysis to examine the adoption of facial recognition technology by police agencies and its possible implications via the assistance of a surveillance studies lens. The study focused on two distinct police agencies located in different jurisdictions, these were: New York City Police Department (United States) and the London Metropolitan Police (United Kingdom). The examination of FRT use in these separate law enforcement organisations addresses key questions surrounding the technology’s justification and surveillance motivations underpinning its explosion amongst law enforcement organisations. An extensive analysis of secondary sources was conducted, including existing policies and regulations, media and news articles, academic journals and when available, governmental, civil liberty and other interest group publications. The results of this research reveal the multifaceted dynamics that influence the adoption and operation of facial recognition technology by the police and provides a critical insight into the tensions between security objectives, the safeguarding of civil liberties and the relationships between corporations and law enforcement. The findings of this study contribute to the already existing research on the complexities of facial recognition technology in the policing context and underscores the need for transparent and informed dialogue as societies navigate the evolving landscape of technology-driven surveillance.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Additional Information:	A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Keywords:	Challenging; pixels of power; critical inquiry; police use; facial recognition; lens; surveillance studies; Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Law
Item ID:	19047
Depositing User:	IR eTheses
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2024 12:55
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads