38 civil society groups filed a complaint, but France is pushing ahead with the use of algorithms to monitor video at the Paris 2024 Olympics

The proposed law has now been officially approved following approval by French senators in January. It allows the government to authorize the automated analysis of surveillance video from both fixed cameras and drones. The bill expressly allows this on an experimental basis until June 30, 2025, well after the Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

The approved proposal allows for very specific monitoring of the security of cultural, recreational and sporting events, depending on their size and circumstances. The risk of terrorism or serious threats to individuals is also considered to determine when AI security is permissible.

The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), European Digital Rights (EDRi), Amnesty International France and 35 other groups filed an open letter complaining about France’s AI surveillance plan.

Accordingly, the GDPR defines biometric data as psychological, physiological or behavioral characteristics that can lead to the identification of an individual. “Cameras controlled by algorithms have to record physiological things and behaviors in order to work. Isolating a person against a background requires unique identification.”

Although the law expires in 2025, the collective fears that the law will be renewed each time thereafter. According to them, this was also the case at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.