Monaco is considering new legislation that would allow facial recognition technology to be used as part of the Principality’s public security system.
Minister of State Christophe Mirmand confirmed that a bill has been introduced to establish a legal framework for the technology. Its purpose would be to help authorities identify people who are already the subject of a police search, investigation or international alert.
The proposal would not, according to the Government, allow the general population to be continuously tracked. Instead, facial recognition would be used to compare images captured by Monaco’s existing security cameras with specific individuals already known to the authorities.
Monaco currently has more than 1,000 public security cameras operating across the Principality. However, these cameras are not presently connected to facial recognition software.
The proposed system could allow police to locate a wanted person more quickly, something the Government believes is particularly valuable in a country with Monaco’s small and densely populated geography.
The legislation is expected to set out when the technology can be used, who may authorise a search and how personal information must be protected.
Facial recognition remains a sensitive subject across Europe, where governments are attempting to balance public safety with privacy and individual rights. Monaco’s decision to introduce a dedicated law is intended to ensure that any future use is regulated rather than left open to interpretation.
Recent security incidents have also renewed discussion about the speed at which suspects can move between Monaco and neighbouring France.
In a country where a person can cross an international border during a determined walk uphill, identifying someone quickly can make a considerable difference. The challenge will be ensuring that greater security comes with equally strong safeguards.