New Delhi police use facial recognition to monitor India citizenship law protests

New Delhi police used facial recognition and drones to identify and detain protestors marching against India's Citizenship Law, prompting accusations of privacy abuse and unnecessary surveillance.

Critics argued that the use of the system for profiling and surveillance at public congregations wass illegal and unconstitutional, and that it directly impaired the rights of ordinary Indians from assembly, speech, and political participation.

The Delhi Police defended their use of the technology, stating it was based on credible intelligence inputs about possible disruptions. They assured that best industry standard checks and balances against any potential misuse of data were in place.

This event occurred amidst nationwide protests against a new citizenship law, during which at least 26 people were killed. The law was said to marginalise Muslims.

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• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-citizenship-protests-technology-idUSKBN20B0ZQ

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/1100-rioters-identified-using-facial-recognition-technology-amit-shah/article31044548.ece

• https://www.dw.com/en/protesters-in-india-object-to-facial-recognition-expansion/a-52412455

• https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/controversy-over-india-s-use-of-facial-recognition-during-protests-20200217-p541pp.html

• https://www.biometricupdate.com/202003/minister-says-more-than-1900-delhi-rioters-identified-by-facial-biometrics