The French National Assembly approved the use of algorithmic video surveillance during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This is reported by The Register.
In particular, Parliament passed Article 7, which allows automatic analysis of video surveillance from fixed and drone cameras.
Under the bill, surveillance will monitor people not only at the venues but also on streets and in public transport.
Opponents argued that it opens the door to future surveillance. Thirty-eight groups and open letter.
According to rights groups, GDPR defines biometric data as any physical, physiological or behavioural characteristics that identify a person.
“If the aim of the algorithm-driven cameras is to detect specific suspicious events in public places, they will inevitably analyse physiological features and people’s behaviour […], such as body posture, gait, movements, gestures or appearance”, the letter says.
Rights groups say isolating individuals from the background, without which the system could not achieve its aim, would amount to a “unique identification”.
ENCL and its allies argue that France would become the first EU member to directly legalise automated surveillance. They say this violates international law.
Despite the stated time limits on the use of surveillance, rights groups say such technologies do not disappear without a trace. They cited the continued use of similar systems in London and Moscow, where they were also introduced for security at sporting events.
The Amnesty International adviser on AI regulation Mger Akopyan condemned the bill’s passage.
“While France positions itself as a champion of human rights around the world, its decision to legalise mass surveillance with AI during the Olympic Games will amount to a full-scale assault on the rights to privacy, protest and freedom of assembly and expression”, he said.
Akopyan added that surveillance technologies are typically disproportionately targeted at minorities.
In February, French authorities accelerated the drafting of the law, which would allow the use of AI video surveillance in public places.