First time in India has the Delhi Police used the facial recognition software to screen crowds at a recent political rally. The use of the software has raised concerns about privacy and mass surveillance amidst nationwide protests against a new citizenship law.
The Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) software that had been installed by the Delhi Police to identify missing children was used at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally on December 22.
The technology has been deployed in airports, offices and cafes in India. According to technology analysts the use of the system for profiling and surveillance at public congregations is illegal and unconstitutional. It is an act of mass surveillance.
Delhi Police has however assured that the best industry standard checks and balances against any potential misuse of data are in place. Racial or religious profiling is never a relevant parameter while building these datasets.
Pictures of police holding video cameras at some protests have increased concerns that images of protesters are being added to the facial recognition database. Authorities have said the technology is needed to bolster a severely under-policed country.
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