Herta Tech Defends Against Soccer Hooligans in Uruguay

“The facial recognition systems were implemented to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the soccer stadiums – in other words, to prevent hooliganism.”

Facial recognition specialist Herta is celebrating the success of deployments at three sports stadiums in Uruguay.

The projects were undertaken in collaboration with DDBA, a Uruguayan security integrator, which won the open tender contract arranged by Uruguay’s Ministry of the Interior and the Uruguayan Football Association. Wavestore, a VMS platform provider, also played an important role. The companies worked together to deliver facial recognition systems to the Champion of the Century stadium, home to Athletic Club Peñarol; Great Central Park, the home stadium of the National Football Club; and Centenario Stadium, which became the first to implement the technology a little over a year ago.

The facial recognition systems were implemented to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the soccer stadiums – in other words, to prevent hooliganism. And now, the companies behind the deployments are celebrating their success: In a statement, DDBA partner Germán Ruiz said, “these tools have contributed in a formidable way to significantly reduce the episodes of violence in sporting events,” adding that the deployments represent “a path that other Latin American countries will be following in the short term.”

News of the deployments comes after Herta’s announcement in December that police in Phuket, Thailand, were using its facial recognition technology at a security checkpoint at the city’s border, suggesting that the company is enjoying a rising profile as more security authorities around the world look to biometric solutions.

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April 27, 2018 – by Alex Perala