Poland’s Parliament has passed new legislation granting law enforcement and municipal authorities broad powers to deploy AI-driven surveillance systems in public spaces. Approved on May 24, 2025, the law permits the use of facial recognition and behavioral tracking technologies without requiring prior judicial approval. The measure will take effect later this year, significantly expanding the scope of state surveillance across the country.
Real-Time AI Surveillance Now Legal
Backed by the ruling Civic Coalition, the legislation authorizes the use of artificial intelligence for real-time crowd monitoring, movement analysis, and border security. The Polish Interior Ministry described the initiative as a public safety measure intended to enhance operational efficiency during high-traffic events and in urban centers. The law mirrors efforts in other Central and Eastern European countries, including Hungary’s deployment of facial recognition for metro and border surveillance and Romania’s testing of behavioral analytics at major airports.
However, the legislation has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties. Lawmakers from the Left and the Polish People’s Party condemned the fast-tracked legislative process and absence of public consultation. They argue the law introduces disproportionate surveillance powers and undermines the country’s existing data protection frameworks.
Digital Rights Concerns and EU Tensions
Digital rights organizations have also voiced concern. The Helsinki Committee warned that the legislation provides unchecked surveillance authority without transparency or mechanisms for citizen complaints. EDRi, a Brussels-based advocacy group, noted that the law may conflict with the EU AI Act, which generally prohibits real-time biometric identification in public spaces except under narrow conditions.
The debate in Poland reflects a broader trend across Europe toward enhanced digital monitoring. In early 2025, the EU launched its Entry/Exit System to track non-EU travelers, adding another layer of biometric surveillance at international borders. Legal experts at Warsaw University have warned that Poland’s law could violate both domestic and European standards unless strict operational limits are defined. While the Data Protection Office has not formally commented on the legislation, it has previously emphasized that biometric surveillance should be limited to exceptional cases and must comply with GDPR.
The law is expected to take effect by the end of 2025, although key implementation details—particularly regarding oversight, transparency, and redress—remain unresolved. Policymakers and civil society groups are closely watching how the new rules will be operationalized and whether they will trigger regulatory challenges at the EU level.
Sources: Central European Times, Carnegie Endowment, Human Rights Watch
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May 27, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
