The issue of algorithmic surveillance is becoming more and more real in France. A full-scale test will take place in Paris this weekend.
Political authorities in recent years have made no secret of their desire to use algorithmic video surveillance. This technological process should, according to them, make it possible to detect anomalies on large masses that could announce a serious event, such as an attack, for example, without using a technique as invasive as facial recognition. And despite the protests, this new type of video surveillance will be used again this weekend in France.
A concert and a football match for the test
The law relating to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games promulgated last May included provisions allowing the use of algorithmic video surveillance. And we are starting to see the effects. Because after a first test carried out on March 3 and 5 during two concerts by the group Depeche Mode at the Arene de Bercy, a more important test was decided.
The Cityvision system, developed by the French company Wintics, will be used by the RATP between Saturday April 20 at 2 p.m. and Sunday April 21 at 6 a.m. to operate the cameras of the major stations in western Paris Nanterre-Préfecture (RER A ) and La Défense-Grande Arche (RER A and metro line 1). This first test will be carried out in connection with the concert of the group Black Eyed Peas at La Défense Arena.
The second test concerns the SNCF, and covers the days from April 19 to 22, with the operation “ images from the 118 cameras installed at the Paris-Gare de Lyon station and the Garigliano bridge » according to the police headquarters. The objective here is to cover the PSG-Lyon Ligue 1 football match.
Data kept for one year
The anomalies to be detected will be similar in both events. The algorithmic video surveillance system will thus search for: crossing or presence of a person in a prohibited or sensitive area; too high a density of people; a potential crowd movement; or the presence of abandoned objects.
Once the weekend has passed, the data will also be kept for a certain period of time. “ The operations of collection, consultation, communication, modification and deletion of images subject to algorithmic analysis, as well as the reports generated by the processing are recorded. This data is kept for twelve months »said the Paris police headquarters in its order.
Source : BFM TV, Actu.fr
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