Security News > 2023 > March > French parliament says oui to AI surveillance for 2024 Paris Olympics

Despite the opposition of 38 civil society groups, the French National Assembly has approved the use of algorithmic video surveillance during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

On Thursday, the French National Assembly adopted Article 7 of the pending bill, which authorizes automated analysis of surveillance video from fixed and drone cameras.

Specifically, it allows such surveillance "On an experimental basis and until June 30, 2025, for the sole purpose of ensuring the security of sporting, recreational or cultural events which, by their scale or their circumstances, are particularly exposed to the risk of acts of terrorism or serious threats to the safety of persons, the images collected by means of video protection systems and cameras installed on aircraft in the places hosting these events and in their surroundings, as well as in vehicles and public transport rights-of-way." It probably sounds more romantic in French.

The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, European Digital Rights, La Quadrature du Net, Amnesty International France and the other 34 rights groups opposing the AI surveillance plan disputed the bill in an open letter [PDF].

Though the surveillance plan is scheduled to expire, the rights groups contend that technology, once implemented, tends to stick around.

Mher Hakobyan, Amnesty International's advocacy advisor on AI regulation, issued a statement, arguing "While France promotes itself as a champion of human rights globally, its decision to legalize AI-powered mass surveillance during the Olympics will lead to an all-out assault on the rights to privacy, protest, and freedom of assembly and expression."

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/03/24/al_surveillance_french/