Delhi Police use facial recognition system to identify over 2,800 criminals present at protest
Delhi Police used AI-powered facial recognition technology to identify over 2,800 individuals with criminal records at a recent protest site. The police stated the initiative aims to assess the nature of participants, though they have not addressed allegations of protester harassment.
Why it matters
The use of mass surveillance technology at protest sites raises significant ethical and legal questions regarding the balance between public safety and the right to peaceful assembly.
Delhi Police has identified as many as 2,873 people with previous criminal records who were present at the Jantar Mantar protests, official sources said on Monday.
According to the sources, the police exercise relied on facial recognition systems installed at and around the protest venue. The AI-enabled system compares live CCTV footage with existing criminal databases and dossier records maintained by different district police units and law enforcement agencies.
The verification exercise comes following the crackdown on protesters during the Cockroach Jantata Party’s march to Parliament on July 20.
At least 989 individuals have been previously involved in heinous crimes, 101 in murder, 62 in attempt to murder and 284 in robbery, police sources said, adding that at least 61 people were earlier involved in cases of rape, six were booked under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and 25 others for molestation.
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