The French police find themselves in the crosshairs of the CNIL, accused of having illegally used facial recognition software.
This is not the first time that the CNIL has had to intervene for facts relating to facial recognition. The Clearview AI affair last year led the authority to severely sanction the company for the illegal collection of biometric data. This time, the French Ministry of the Interior is concerned, and it is the investigative media Disclosed who revealed the affair. The police therefore allegedly secretly and potentially illegally used facial recognition software developed by an Israeli company. The CNIL therefore launched a control procedure.
Controversial acquisition and use of the software by the police
The video surveillance system, developed by the company Briefcam, was acquired by the Ministry of the Interior in 2015. This company, founded in 2008, is particularly recognized for its “Video Synopsis” technology. A software that allows very efficient viewing of long hours of videos. Quickly adopted by French law enforcement, its functionalities were highly appreciated, and we can understand: tracking individuals using their faces or clothing, or tracking vehicles by recognizing license plates. According to Disclosed, the system is used in a certain number of police services on French territory, as well as in large metropolises such as Marseille or Paris. A total of a hundred cities would be affected.
CNIL investigation and potential consequences
Small problem: the CNIL has never authorized the use of this software by the police. According to the law, the ministry would have had to fulfill a “ data protection impact assessment » so that the authority evaluates its use and gives its approval. In 2023, this still has not been done. In France, facial recognition technology is very strictly regulated.
Due to this rather serious breach, the CNIL therefore requested the opening of a control procedure, which, in the event of non-compliance, could result in a significant financial penalty. In fact, the planned fine could amount to up to 20 million euros.
Furthermore, the association La Quadrature du net (defense of rights and freedoms on the Internet) described the facts as being “ extremely serious » and mentioned a possible violation of the Penal Code. For the moment, no response has been provided by the Ministry of the Interior. To be continued!
Source : The Parisian
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