Government’s facial recognition plans cause alarm in Hungary

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.

The document highlights that countries relying on Chinese technology could face serious threats to privacy and national security. Exported facial recognition systems could not only help law enforcement but could also be used to suppress political dissent and conduct mass surveillance. This is particularly relevant for Hungary, which has been developing closer ties with China in recent years.

International reactions and risks of using the facial recognition software

The United States and several Western countries are sharply critical of the proliferation of facial recognition technologies in China. According to the US report, these devices not only allow for domestic social control, but can also function as a geopolitical tool. The report also points out that China could use this data for political influence and to support cyber attacks.

The Hungarian situation is further complicated by the fact that Western allies and the EU are increasingly monitoring the technological and security cooperation of countries in the region with China. If Hungary were to acquire and deploy Chinese facial recognition systems, it could not only come into conflict with EU regulations, but could also strain relations with Western partners.

Hungary’s interest in facial recognition technology and its increasingly close cooperation with China raises serious issues of data protection, human rights and national security. While the technology can bring many benefits to law enforcement and public security, its use, especially in mass surveillance, raises serious ethical and legal concerns. A possible Chinese acquisition of the technology could not only have domestic implications but could also affect the country’s international relations and the response of the EU and its Western allies may determine the room for manoeuvre Hungary has on this issue.

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