Danish Justice Minister Confirms Facial Recognition Plans Amid Gang Violence

Denmark will officially allow police the use of retroactive facial recognition technology in certain criminal investigations. The plans were confirmed by Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard after earlier reports of a push to give the technology the green light for policing.

The decision stems from an agreement between Denmark’s government and several political parties, and is meant to enhance the efficiency of police work by enabling faster searches for faces and objects in video and image materials. However, the law will limit facial recognition to investigations of serious crimes such as violent offenses and national security concerns. Importantly, the new regulations will not extend to real-time surveillance.

The move to implement facial recognition technology follows an increase in gang-related violence in Denmark, particularly involving teenage suspects from Sweden. This has sparked an ongoing debate in Denmark regarding the ethical implications of such technology. Despite concerns, both the police and the justice minister advocate for its use, highlighting the potential for improved investigative outcomes and reduced investigation times. Justice Minister Hummelgaard also stressed that facial recognition could aid in manhunts for dangerous criminals.

Recent data indicates that Swedish teenagers have been recruited by Danish gangs to carry out shootings, with 25 incidents reported since April. This has led to mounting frustrations within the Danish government, which has vowed to hold Sweden accountable for the involvement of its citizens in these crimes.

While the Socialist People’s Party (SF) supports the introduction of facial recognition, it has voiced concerns over its proper use. SF spokesperson Karina Lorentzen emphasized the need for strict oversight and has called for an evaluation of the technology’s implementation.

The Danish government also plans to amend existing laws to ensure the use of digital tools, such as facial recognition, in tackling the complexities of modern criminal activity, including encrypted communications and activities on the dark web.

This technological shift marks a significant step in Denmark’s approach to combating organized crime, which remains a growing issue. As of last year, 1,257 people in Denmark were identified as having connections to organized crime, although the scale of violence in Denmark remains lower than in neighboring Sweden.

Sources: The Local, Euronews

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September 9, 2024 – by the FindBiometrics Editorial Team