EU Finalizes Facial Recognition Rules Despite Concerns Over Weakened Safeguards
• EU's Artificial Intelligence Act will allow law enforcement to use facial recognition on recorded video without judge's approval, going further than originally agreed
• German MEP Svenja Hahn says this enables "irresponsible and disproportionate use of biometric identification technology" like in authoritarian states
• Hahn says the final text allows facial recognition after approval by an administrative authority rather than a judge, and for all crimes not just serious ones
• Digital rights groups share concerns that facial recognition safeguards were weakened compared to original agreement
• Some defend the final text, saying it reflects the political agreement reached, but amendments could still be proposed before Parliament vote