French minister proposes facial recognition use

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced plans to use facial recognition technology to identify participants in an ongoing social movement, reigniting debates about the regulation and ethical implications of the technology.

Brochure reiterates call for ban

The announcement came alongside the republication of a brochure titled Facial Recognition and Identity Control: What Can the Police Do? by the digital rights organization La Quadrature du Net, which advocates for a complete prohibition on facial recognition due to its association with state control and potential for misuse.

History of biometric identification

The brochure traces the origins of biometric identification in France back to the 19th century, when Alphonse Bertillon developed anthropometric methods for identifying individuals. These were later improved with the introduction of photography, which helped create centralized identification systems, leading to modern facial recognition technology.

Private sector involvement in facial recognition

The document highlights how both state and private sector interests have driven the development of facial recognition technology. French companies like Idemia, Thales, and Ipsotek have played key roles in the global market, supplying facial recognition tools to police and governments around the world, often without user consent.

Criticism of surveillance and discrimination

The brochure argues that facial recognition has been used as a tool of state control and repression, particularly after the 9/11 attacks and in the context of increased surveillance laws in Western countries. It points to its use in Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and China's treatment of Uighur populations, warning of potential discrimination against marginalized groups.

Call for a complete ban

The brochure concludes by urging a total ban on facial recognition to protect individual privacy and freedom from state surveillance. La Quadrature du Net also encourages public support for its campaign through donations.