The first major legal challenge to police use of automated facial recognition surveillance has begun in Cardiff, Wales, according to a news report. 

In December 2017, Ed Bridges saw a police ban announcing that they were using "automated facial recognition" and thought it was a violation of his privacy, says the report. "It is just like taking people's DNA or fingerprints, without their knowledge or their consent," said Megan Goulding, a lawyer from the civil liberties group Liberty which is supporting Mr. Bridges. 

The report says civil liberties groups say studies have shown facial recognition discriminates against women, ethnic minorities and people of color because it disproportionately misidentifies people and has accuracy problems. 

After San Francisco became the first US state to ban the use of facial recognition, this case could further provide crucial guidance on the lawful use of facial technology, especially by police.