MCI's response to PQ on Risks and Benefits from Widespread Adoption of Facial Recognition Technology

Parliament Sitting on 4 March 2024

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

13. Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what are the risks and benefits associated with widespread adoption of facial recognition technology (FRT) in Singapore; (b) what are the frameworks and oversight mechanisms currently in place to ensure the responsible and ethical use of FRT in Singapore; and (c) what steps are being taken to engage with the public and relevant stakeholders about the responsible development and application of AI technologies to FRT.

Answer:

1. Facial images as a form of biometric data can be considered personal data when associated with other information about an individual. When private sector organisations in Singapore collect and use such data, including for identification through Facial Recognition Technologies (FRT), they must comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

2. In Singapore, a key use of facial biometric data and FRTs is for security purposes. In 2022, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and the Security Association Singapore jointly published a Guide on the Responsible Use of Biometric Data in Security Applications, to guide organisations on the key considerations and safeguards for using biometric data responsibly and ethically. IMDA and PDPC’s Model AI Governance Framework (2020) also provides general guidance in addressing key ethical and governance issues when deploying AI solutions, which can be relevant for FRTs.