The French government is accelerating special legislation for the 2024 Paris Olympics that would allow the use of video surveillance aided by artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Ministers have argued that some exceptional security measures are needed to ensure the smooth running of the events which will attract 13 million spectators, but rights groups have warned that France is seeking to use the Games as a pretext to extend powers of police surveillance, which could then become permanent.
The measures include a proposal to legalize the use of AI-assisted video surveillance.
For the first time in France, this would allow automated video camera surveillance, in which AI algorithms would be used to detect suspicious or “abnormal” activity in crowds. These algorithms would analyze video images from fixed CCTV cameras or drones, highlighting behavior deemed abnormal or suspicious, which would be automatically reported to the police, who could take action.
The AI systems would be used to monitor crowds such as the 600,000 people expected at the Paris opening ceremony, but could also be used around stadiums, on city streets and on public transport.
French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera described the bill as introducing “essential adjustments” to the smooth running of the games. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the bill would provide a French “framework” for gambling security.
The proposal comes as France seek to avoid a repeat of the chaos of last year’s Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France, where fans, including children, were gassed , and many supporters complained of being attacked around the stadium.
The French government has stressed that its security proposals for the Olympics do not include the use of facial recognition technologies. Ministers also said automated CCTV was an experimental measure for a set period.
But rights groups said the proposal would cover all sporting, festive and cultural events over a broad timeframe, stretching from this spring until June 2025, long after the Games have ended. They said there was a danger that the measure would then become permanent law.
The bill will be considered by the lower house of the National Assembly in February after Senate approval on Tuesday, but activists have called for more public debate.
Amnesty International called the proposal a “turning point” in the use of AI surveillance technologies in France and said it marked a “dangerous step” for human rights and the right to privacy. .
Katia Roux, Technology and Human Rights Advocacy Officer at Amnesty International France, said: “We are deeply concerned that these algorithms will be able to analyze images from stationary CCTV cameras or drones to detecting “abnormal or suspicious” behavior. . Firstly, there is the question of the definition of abnormal or suspicious behavior – who will decide what behavior is the norm or not? Also, in terms of human rights and fundamental freedoms, we consider that the proposal poses a danger to the right to privacy, it could also have an impact on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the principle of non-discrimination.
Roux said that while the government had said no biometric data would be used, “in reality, the algorithms will analyze behavior and physical data, which is data that needs to be protected.”
Roux said the effectiveness of these automatic monitoring techniques has not been proven. She indicated that the context of the bill was important, being part of “a very clear desire of the French authorities for several years to broaden the powers of surveillance of the police”.
Amnesty has warned that the Games “must not be used as a pretext” to allow exceptional measures to become permanent laws.
Roux said there were examples of surveillance laws being put in place for special events which were then used in a repressive manner, citing Russia’s introduction of facial recognition surveillance during the FIFA World Cup. football 2018.
Bastien Le Querrec, of French NGO La Quadrature du Net, which campaigns on data and privacy issues, said the proposal to allow algorithmic video surveillance “seems particularly dangerous to us, disproportionate and sets up a mass surveillance mechanism”.
He said that until now in France, CCTV required “a human behind a screen” analyzing CCTV footage, which made it impossible to monitor all public space at all times. “But with the use of algorithms, this human limit is no longer there – it would be possible to constantly monitor all images from video cameras – and there are several hundred thousand video cameras in France. This means that anyone filmed could have their behavior analyzed, their movements detected and classified and decided by algorithm whether they are normal or abnormal.
He said he feared the Olympics could be presented as a “political moment” to pass legislation that would otherwise be seen as unacceptable.