Tuesday briefing: How AI facial recognition works in police work – and how it can go wrong

Good morning In recent days, the Guardian has reported that facial recognition technology is being rolled out across the UK at a pace that appears to be exceeding the rules designed for it. Police forces are increasingly using live systems to scan people in real time, while retailers are using similar tools to identify suspected shoplifters.

Proponents of the technology argue that facial recognition is effective and will continue into the future. Critics warn that it risks creating a system in which people are monitored – and sometimes wrongly flagged – without clear safeguards.

For today’s newsletter I spoke to the Guardian’s UK technology editor, Robert Boothabout how the technology works, how widespread it is now and what happens if something goes wrong. First, this morning’s headlines.

Five big stories

1. Crisis in the Middle East | Donald Trump has threatened that Iran will “wipe off the face of the earth” if it attacks US ships that try…