Work on Facial Recognition / Installations of Facial Recognition on campus

The request was refused by University of Gloucestershire.

Dear University of Gloucestershire,

I'm writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) to ask that you please disclose details of any research agreements or funding your institution has received to engage in projects related to facial recognition (either LfR, AfR, RfR) software, and details (company /sponsor name, dates, costs) of this work.

I'd also like to know which, if any, facial recognition or smart cameras are installed in your university, which company they've come from, what information is retained and if it's by the uni or a third party server, and how long they've been there.

Yours faithfully,

Max Colbert,
The Citizens.

Freedom of Information, University of Gloucestershire

Dear Max

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information received on 22 November 2021.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), we anticipate responding to your request for information within 20 working days.

If we are unable to respond within the timescale outlined in the FOIA, we will contact you to discuss an extension to time.

If you have any queries regarding this information, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Ruth Neal
--
Ruth Neal
Information Governance Manager
^University of Gloucestershire
Governance and Secretariat Services
The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH

Tel: 01242 714140
E-mail: [email address]
Web: www.glos.ac.uk

show quoted sections

Freedom of Information, University of Gloucestershire

Dear Max,

 

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Information Request

 

Thank you for your request for information from the University of
Gloucestershire received on 22 November 2021.

Your request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
(FOIA).

Please find below the University’s response to your request.

Please disclose details of any research agreements or funding your
institution has received to engage in projects related to facial
recognition (either LfR, AfR, RfR) software, and details (company /sponsor
name, dates, costs) of this work.

I can confirm that the University does not have any research agreements or
funding to engage in projects related to facial recognition software.

I'd also like to know which, if any, facial recognition or smart cameras
are installed in your university, which company they've come from, what
information is retained and if it's by the university or a third-party
server, and how long they've been there.

I can confirm The University of Gloucestershire does hold the information
requested. However, we are withholding that information as we consider it
exempt from disclosure under Section 31(1)(a) – prevention and detection
of crime

Section 31(1)(a) of the Act states:

’31 - (1) Information which is not exempt information by virtue of Section
30 is exempt information if it’s disclosure under this Act would, or would
be likely to, prejudice:

 a. The prevention or detection of crime’

Public Interest Test

The application of this exemption requires an examination of the public
interest in disclosure as opposed to that in non-disclosure. Whilst the
University recognises that there is a legitimate public interest in
knowing the types of cameras used by the university and the retention of
those images it would argue that to provide the specific detail and
retention times of such cameras would be likely to prejudice the
prevention or detection of crime, as it may be possible for the system to
be infiltrated by someone and that crime would have a substantial
detrimental and reputational effect upon the university, individuals and
the university community.

In weighing the factors for and against disclosure we have concluded that
the likely benefit to the applicant and the wider public of disclosure is
outweighed by the likely prejudice caused by such disclosure and therefore
the public interest lies in withholding the requested information.

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request a review, no later than 40 working days from the
date of this response by contacting the University by email at:

[1][email address]

or by post to:

Registrar’s Directorate
University of Gloucestershire
Fullwood House
Park Campus
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 2RH

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint,
you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

The Information Commissioner's Office,

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wilmslow,

Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45

Website: [2]www.ico.gov.uk

There is no charge for making an appeal.

If you have any questions regarding this information, then please do not
hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

 

R Neal

--

Ruth Neal

Information Governance Manager

(Pronouns She/Her)​

^University of Gloucestershire

Governance and Secretariat Services

The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH

 

Tel: 01242 714140

E-mail: [3][email address]

Web: [4]www.glos.ac.uk

 

 

References

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3. mailto:[email address]
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