If making access to the database available was a priority, surely a company with Microsoft's resources could find someone to maintain it?

And why shouldn't the database continue to work just because there isn't someone to maintain it? It's not like the maintainer is actually hand-cranking the generator that powers the database server.

And yeah there's definitely a trend with trying to make every news story look like a big dramatic news event with lots of intrigue and "tea". Mostly it's just pretty boring and undramatic stuff.

Some companies try to offer services that actually work. in general I don't think a team should have less than seven people on it if they're on an on call rotation and keeping a service alive without burning out the people involved. And if you can't afford that for a service and you're not really doing the right thing for the users of it.

Also if it's not being used why would you keep it up and running.

finally not sure why you're against someone getting rid of a facial recognition database

At least in terms of their online coverage, BBC News' reporting has been thoroughly mediocre on all issues for a long time.

Because it generates clicks and clicks mean money.

The concept of real value was thrown out a long time ago.