Government’s facial recognition plans cause alarm in Hungary
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Hungary’s growing interest in advanced facial recognition systems is demonstrated by the public procurement tendered by the National Infocommunication Ltd. The tender aims to procure a number of portable biometric devices capable of both facial recognition and fingerprint capture. Although the outcome of the tender is not yet public, the developments raise serious questions in terms of data protection, national security and the rule of law.
Although Hungary has not formally announced its intention to purchase Chinese facial recognition technology, the NISZ public procurement tender raises the possibility. According to Mfor, the Hungarian government has already shown interest in Chinese security solutions in the past, for example in the context of a plan for joint patrols by Hungarian and Chinese police officers.
Besides expressing interest in Chinese security solutions, we previously reported that the Hungarian government has already proposed using facial recognition software to identify attendees at public gatherings, including the banned Budapest Pride. The European Union’s AI Act strictly prohibits the use of facial recognition at public events, unless justified by the fight against terrorism or other serious crime. The proposed measure may not only go against EU rules, but also raises fundamental human rights concerns.
The case of Serbia could be a warning sign: Belgrade installed Chinese Huawei facial recognition cameras in 2019, which were not officially activated but were used to identify and fine protesters. If Hungary moves in a similar direction, it could raise questions about the protection of human rights and the maintenance of democratic standards.
China and the export of facial recognition technology
According to a recent report by the US Department of Defense, the People’s Republic of China poses a significant risk to global security by exporting its artificial intelligence and biometric data management systems worldwide. According to the report, China’s goal is to become the world leader in AI technology by 2030, and to use this power not only for economic purposes, but also for political and military purposes.
Unless the billions around the world wake up to the reality of what’s being cooked up for them, the future will be very, very authoritarian.
People already give up their privacy when taking selfies including in the bedroom or bathroom, wearing certain attachments to count their steps, dashcams etc. No one has a right to privacy in public spaces. End of story.
If the cost of prime prevention & prosecution can be cut way back, that is a win for taxpayers to be uptodate with modern tools of the AI variety etc. If you are not guilty of anything, you have nothing to fear. Don’t be where you would be ashamed of being seen or committing acts which can ruine your career, family life, your future. Then all of the traces you leave behind everywhere everyday won’t be an issue.