Biometrics
Biometrics refers to the use of analytical tools and devices which capture, record and/or process people’s physical or behavioural data. This can include faces (commonly known as facial recognition), fingerprints, DNA, irises, walking style (gait), voice as well as other characteristics. Under the EU’s data protection laws, this biometric data is especially sensitive. It is linked to our individual identities, and can also reveal protected and intimate information about who we are, where we go, our health status and more. When used to indiscriminately target people in public spaces, to predict behaviours and emotions, or in situations of imbalances of power, biometric surveillance such as facial recognition has been shown to violate a wide range of fundamental rights.
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What’s behind the EU’s digitalisation push? Surveillance, control and exclusion
The EU institutions have been engaged in a broad and wholesale digitalisation project but underneath the rhetoric of efficiency, modernisation, and citizen empowerment lies a more troubling reality. It is not a mere technical upgrade of public services, but a political choice, long in the making, to forego care and rights of individuals in favour of normalising surveillance, control and exclusion of the most marginalised. This blog explores the various facets of the EU’s digital welfare state push, and what it means for the relationship between people and the state.
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Greece’s AI Smart Policing system ruled unlawful after €4 million public spending\
A 4 million EUR “Smart Policing” programme enabling the use of AI technologies, including facial recognition software, which was deployed by the Hellenic Police has been ruled unlawful by Greece’s data protection authority. The decision confirmed long-standing concerns raised by EDRi member Homo Digitalis about facial recognition and data protection violations.
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Open Letter: EU lawmakers must safeguard the AI Act
41 organisations and experts are calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council to reject the AI Omnibus, and honour their responsibility in upholding and safeguarding the integrity of the AI Act and its implementation without delay.
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The eID Wallet still doesn’t deserve your full trust
Despite its imminent deployment, the EU’s new eID Wallet is not yet fit for purpose in terms of safeguarding the rights of its users. EDRi and nine CSOs urge the European Commission to amend the draft implementing acts to ensure that users cannot be tracked, forced to share sensitive data nor to provide their legal identity where this is not required by law.
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Migrant smuggling laws: European Commission found in breach of transparency rules
The European Ombudsman has found that the Commission disregarded important transparency rules while preparing the Europol Regulation, which is a part of the legislation to "counter migrant smuggling". The inquiry concluded that the Commission didn't provide enough evidence to justify the claims of "urgency" to bypass their own 'Better Regulation' rules, and skipping public consultations, thorough impact assessments and evidence gathering.
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Press Release: Commission’s Digital Omnibus is a major rollback of EU digital protections
Today the European Commission has published two Digital Omnibus proposals, reopening the EU’s core protections against harm in the digital age. This step risks dismantling the rules-based system that was hard-won over decades, endangering the very foundation of human rights and tech policy in the EU.
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The AI Act isn’t enough: closing the dangerous loopholes that enable rights violations
While the EU's AI Act aims to regulate high-risk AI systems, it is undermined by major loopholes that allow their unchecked use in the context of national security and law enforcement. These exemptions risk enabling, among others, mass surveillance of protests and discriminatory migration practices. To prevent this, EDRi affiliate Danes je nov dan has published recommendations for Slovenia to adopt stricter national safeguards and transparent oversight mechanisms.
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Czech police forced to turn off facial recognition cameras at the Prague airport thanks to the AI Act
The shutdown of the facial recognition cameras at the Václav Havel Airport in Prague came after years of criticism from EDRi member IuRe. The legitimacy of the criticism was confirmed by the Czech Office for Personal Data Protection. However, the Czech police continue to systematically violate the law in further processing of biometric data.
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The Commission must uphold the AI Act and fundamental freedoms in Hungary
ECNL, Liberties and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union called on the EU to protect Pecs Pride participants from AI surveillance.
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OPEN LETTER: The European Commission must act now to defend fundamental rights in Hungary
With Budapest Pride set to take place on June 28, 2025, EDRi and 46 organisation are urging the European Commission to defend fundamental rights in Hungary so that Pride organisers and participants can safely exercise their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
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LIBE vote on Europol reform blow to the Commission, but still legitimises an expanding surveillance regime
European Parliament's LIBE committee vote on a reform of the Europol Regulation was a mixed bag. Although it was a blow to the European Commission's original proposal, it still legitimised an expanding surveillance regime thanks to Europol's ever-growing power and resources. Read the Protect Not Surveil coalition’s statement.
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Croatia in preparation for AI Law: Activists warn of risks to rights and call for safeguards going beyond EU AI Act
EDRi affiliate Politiscope recently hosted an event in Croatia for journalists and activists to discuss human rights impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), raise awareness about AI related harms, and to influence future national policy to incorporate safeguards for people’s rights.
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