Sweden’s government announced Monday its intention to grant law enforcement the capacity to utilize real-time facial recognition technology from cameras in public spaces, such as to identify individuals suspected of certain crimes.
This announcement follows the European Union’s adoption of regulations governing artificial intelligence in March, which prohibited real-time facial recognition in public areas but allowed for exceptions in law enforcement scenarios.
In December, the Swedish government initiated an inquiry into broadening law enforcement powers to employ camera surveillance, including facial recognition technology.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer, speaking at a press conference, stated that the inquiry, whose results were presented to the government Monday, aimed to provide the necessary insight to significantly advance the use of cameras for crime prevention.
According to Kazimir Aberg, who led the inquiry, real-time facial recognition in public spaces for crime-fighting purposes should be permitted in line with the EU’s AI regulation.
The EU exceptions include locating missing persons, specific suspected victims of human trafficking, or averting imminent threats like terrorist attacks. It also allows for the identification of individuals suspected of certain criminal offenses.
Aberg suggested that police should only employ the technology for crimes carrying a minimum four-year prison sentence, and only after receiving authorization from a judicial authority. Additionally, he proposed limiting its use to specific investigations rather than preventive measures.
Strommer expressed the government’s approval of the proposal, believing that the inquiry effectively addressed the balance between privacy concerns and effective crime prevention.
The government intends to commence work on finalizing the plan’s details, although no specific implementation date has been proposed yet.
