Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, sitting with Mr Justice Swift in Cardiff dismissed a challenge brought by Ed Bridges, a former Liberal Democrat councillor from the city, who was represented by Liberty.

Mr Bridges challenged South Wales Police at a judicial review in May. It was the world’s first legal challenge to police use of the mass surveillance tool.

The court found the current legal framework governing facial recognition to be adequate, but said that it would have to be subject to periodic review.

Megan Goulding, Liberty lawyer, said: “This disappointing judgment does not reflect the very serious threat that facial recognition poses to our rights and freedoms.

“Facial recognition is a highly intrusive surveillance technology that allows the police to monitor and track us all. It is time that the government recognised the danger this dystopian technology presents to our democratic values and banned its use. Facial recognition has no place on our streets.”

Mr Bridges said: “South Wales Police has been using facial recognition indiscriminately against thousands of innocent people, without our knowledge or consent.

“This sinister technology undermines our privacy and I will continue to fight against its unlawful use to ensure our rights are protected and we are free from disproportionate government surveillance.”