The National Assembly on Thursday approved the use of so-called “intelligent” video surveillance, based on algorithms, which the executive wants to experiment with before and during the 2024 Olympics, despite fears of security abuses from the left.
Article 7 of the Olympic bill was adopted with 59 votes in favor (presidential majority – LR – RN) against 14 against (Nupes). It provides, on an experimental basis, that the securing of large-scale sporting, recreational or cultural events can use algorithms.
The Olympics are in the line of sight but the experiment, which must stop at the end of 2024, could start as soon as the law is promulgated, and concern for example the next Rugby World Cup in September-October.
The stated goal: to analyze the images captured by cameras and drones, to automatically detect potentially risky actions or gestures.
The list of events to be detected must be fixed by decree. Interior Minister Grald Darmanin cited the example of a fire starting, population bottlenecks, an abandoned parcel or bag.
Nupes deputies are worried about the possible misuse of this technology, fearing that the Olympics will serve as a springboard for generalizing this type of surveillance to the population.
Predetermined events concern not people but situations, insisted Grald Darmanin, without convincing them.
The associations for the defense of freedoms are against, like the National Bar Council.
The opposition deputies have tried to further limit the experimentation, to confine it to the abandonment of luggage, or to impose the fact that the State is solely responsible for the analysis of the data, without resorting to the private sector, but without success.
An amendment by RN Aurlien Lopez-Liguori, president of the study group on digital security and sovereignty, was adopted, to prioritize the use of European companies.
But the fact that the deputies of the majority, members of this study group, have co-signed or sub-amended this RN amendment, has outraged the left.
screenings
The Assembly also adopted the extension of the scope of screenings, these administrative investigation procedures currently existing for access to major events.
The aim is for them to also concern participants, such as athletes and their teams, broadcasters or partners. Access to fan zones, where events will be broadcast, has also been included.
Rebellious deputies and ecologists denounced disproportionate and intrusive measures, worrying that people could be excluded because of political opinions. In particular, they failed to obtain the exclusion of journalists from the field of screenings.
Sports Minister Amlie Ouda-Castra explained that it was necessary to guard against people presenting fake press cards.
She also insisted that the screenings would not concern spectators.
The Assembly also authorized the extension of the powers of the Paris police prefect, in terms of security, to the departments of Yvelines, Val d’Oise, Essonne and Seine?et?Marne, from July 1 to September 15, 2024.