Hungary's Real-Time Facial Recognition Law Under Fire

By Netvora Tech News

---

Hungary's parliament has sparked outrage among human rights groups by allowing real-time facial recognition technology to be used for a wide range of purposes, including minor offenses and peaceful protests. The European Center for Non-Profit Law, the Civil Liberties Union for Europe, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union have voiced their concerns, stating that the new law violates European Union regulations. In March, Hungary's parliament approved several amendments that permit real-time facial recognition technology to be used by law enforcement. Previously, the technology was only allowed to be used for serious crimes punishable by imprisonment. However, under the new law, facial recognition can now be used for a broad range of offenses, including jaywalking, according to the human rights groups. The technology can also be used to monitor and identify individuals at prohibited demonstrations. The European AI Act allows for live facial recognition in certain cases, such as searching for missing persons or victims of human trafficking or sexual abuse. Other exceptions include preventing a specific and imminent terrorist threat or locating and identifying individuals suspected of crimes, including terrorism, human trafficking, sexual abuse, murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and environmental crimes. However, human rights groups argue that the use of facial recognition technology in Hungary can deter people from exercising their fundamental rights, particularly the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. When people know they may be scanned, identified, and punished for participating in peaceful protests, many will choose not to participate, they say. The new law allows Hungarian authorities to apply surveillance in a way that is incompatible with the European AI Act. "Allowing this form of AI undermines freedom of expression, civic participation, and ultimately, people's trust in democracy," the human rights groups argue. They are calling on the EU to quickly inspect the relevant legislation and ensure that it is in line with EU rules. "This is a test case of how seriously the EU will enforce its own AI rules and protect human rights," the groups say.