German MEP: EU’s proposed AI regulations will “open the door for biometric mass surveillance in public spaces”
The leaked regulation proposal s definition of biometric data extends far beyond facial recognition data and includes any personal data resulting from specific technical processing relating to the physical, physiological or behavioural characteristics of a natural person, which allow or confirm the unique identification of that natural person. The document also specifies that facial images and dactyloscopic data (fingerprint and palm print data) qualify as biometric data.
In most circumstances, the rules in this leaked proposal would require law enforcement to gain prior authorisation from a judicial authority or an independent administrative authority in their Member State and this prior authorization would be issued in accordance with the rules of national law. Law enforcement would also be subject to appropriate limits in time and space when deploying real-time remote biometric recognition technology and be required to comply with necessary and proportionate safeguards and conditions.