Surveillance at the Paris 2024 Olympics: Balancing Security with Privacy

In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, authorities have announced that they will implement video surveillance with algorithms to enhance security measures. While facial recognition technology will not be used during the event, this practice has been tested in France and raised concerns about privacy and legal ambiguities.

Facial recognition involves analyzing a person’s facial features in real-time or later by comparing them to images in a database. The use of this technology has been tested during the Nice carnival in 2019, where it helped identify nearly 50 volunteers among 5,000 individuals based on provided photos. However, the legal definition of facial recognition is not well-defined and must comply with European data protection regulations.

The implementation of facial recognition technology may be used for specific crimes such as terrorism, rape, human trafficking, murder, drug trafficking and others. While the European Commission allows for limited use of facial recognition for certain crimes, strict regulations and oversight are required before its implementation.

The French Parliament approved a law in April 2023 to regulate algorithmic video surveillance during the Paris 2024 Games. This experimentation will focus on identifying situations posing a risk of terrorism or safety threats such as prohibited area crossings, weapons presence, fires, stampedes and more. Amnesty International has criticized the use of surveillance technologies during Paris 2024 warning of potential irreversible consequences to personal data and human rights.

In conclusion while video surveillance with algorithms has been approved for use during the Olympic Games; however facial recognition technology remains a contentious issue due to privacy concerns and legal ambiguities. Strict regulations and oversight mechanisms are necessary to ensure that personal data is protected while enhancing security measures at the event.