MEPs endorse blanket ban on live facial recognition in public spaces, rejecting targeted exemptions
On Wednesday, the European Parliament unanimously approved the Artificial Intelligence Act, a first-of-its-kind legislation intended to ensure the responsible development of ethical AI systems. The act was welcomed with a vote of 499 in favour, 28 against, and 93 abstentions, at the plenary session held in Strasbourg.
This landmark decision also includes a blanket ban on AI-powered facial recognition technology in public spaces, with 335 votes in favour and 235 against. The rejection of an amendment that could have enabled law enforcement to use real-time biometric identification in specific cases underscored the intention of the bill to combat mass surveillance and oppressive measures. As Europe moves towards an era of intelligent automation, this endeavor is essential for balancing valuable innovation with the protection of fundamental human rights.
