https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/03/france-allowing-mass-surveillance-at-olympics-undermines-eu-efforts-to-regulate-ai/

Skip to main content

Which language would you like to use this site in?

  * English
  * espanol
  * francais
  * l`rby@

Close
Amnesty International LogotypeAmnesty International Logomark

  * English
      + Espanol
      + FRancais
      + l`rby@

  * Who We Are
      + How We're Run
      + Careers
  * What We Do
  * Countries
  * Get Involved
      + Take Action
      + Join
      + Take an online course
  * Latest
      + News
      + Campaigns
      + Education
      + Research
      + Impact
  * Search
  * Donate Now

  * Who We Are
      + Who We Are
      + How We're Run
      + Careers
  * What We Do
  * Countries
  * Get Involved
      + Get Involved
      + Take Action
      + Join
      + Take an online course
  * Latest
      + Latest
      + News
      + Campaigns
      + Education
      + Research
      + Impact
  * Search

Olympic rings in front of the Eiffel Tower (c) Nicolas Briquet/SOPA
Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
News March 23, 2023

France: Allowing mass surveillance at Olympics undermines EU efforts
to regulate AI

Responding to the French National Assembly's decision to permit the
use of mass video surveillance technology powered by Artificial
Intelligence (AI) during the 2024 Olympics, Mher Hakobyan, Amnesty
International's Advocacy Advisor on AI Regulation, said:  

"France's decision to allow the use of mass surveillance measures
during the 2024 Olympics undermines the EU's ongoing efforts to
regulate AI and protect fundamental rights through the AI Act. This
decision, which legalizes the use of AI-powered surveillance for the
first time in France and the EU, risks permanently transforming
France into a dystopian surveillance state, and allowing large-scale
violations of human rights elsewhere in the bloc. 

"While France promotes itself as a champion of human rights globally,
its decision to legalize AI-powered mass surveillance during the
Olympics will lead to an all-out assault on the rights to privacy,
protest, and freedom of assembly and expression. It has also been
well-documented that hostile surveillance technologies are
disproportionately used to target marginalized groups, including
migrants and black and brown people. 

"As an influential member state of the EU, France is setting a
worrying precedent at a time when the bloc should be focusing on
cementing rights protections in the AI Act. The European Parliament
must urgently take a strong position on banning mass surveillance
technologies, including remote biometric identification and
categorization in public spaces."  

Background:  

The text of the bill was approved by the Senate on 31 January and
cleared a legislative hurdle on March 8 after the committee vote. The
French National Assembly adopted article 7 that allows the use of
AI-powered video surveillance on March 23.

Amnesty International, alongside a coalition of civil society
organizations led by the European Digital Rights Network (EDRi), has
been calling for the EU to regulate Artificial Intelligence as part
of efforts to protect and promote human rights. 

In an open letter initiated by the European Center for Not-for-Profit
Law, 38 civil society organizations, including Amnesty International,
have called on French policymakers to reject the draft legislation on
allowing invasive surveillance at the 2024 Olympics.

Topics

  * News
  * Europe and Central Asia
  * France
  * Position
  * Public Statement
  * Censorship and Freedom of Expression
  * EU
  * Freedom of Movement
  * International Organizations
  * Protests and Demonstrations
  * Technology and Human Rights
  * UN

Related Content

France
Country

France

France: Sentencing of police officer who assaulted Calais volunteer
sends powerful message against impunity
News

France: Sentencing of police officer who assaulted Calais volunteer
sends powerful message against impunity

France/Germany: Small businesses want EU to get tough on Google and
Facebook's invasive advertising - new research
News

France/Germany: Small businesses want EU to get tough on Google and
Facebook's invasive advertising - new research

France: Protection of human rights must become a priority of Emmanuel
Macron's second term
News

France: Protection of human rights must become a priority of Emmanuel
Macron's second term

China: European states must investigate potential involvement in
crimes against humanity by visiting Xinjiang governor
News

China: European states must investigate potential involvement in
crimes against humanity by visiting Xinjiang governor

Share

  * Facebook Logo
  * Twitter Logo

Recently added

  * Thailand: Myanmar nationals must not be deported following
    interrogation
  * France: Allowing mass surveillance at Olympics undermines EU
    efforts to regulate AI
  * Uganda: Reject anti-LGBTI law that criminalizes same-sex sexual
    activity
  * Russia: Authorities step up activist 'witch-hunt' by searching
    homes of Memorial members
  * India: Authorities must immediately release Kashmiri journalist
    Irfan Mehraj

  * About Us
      + Contact Us
      + How We're Run
      + Modern Slavery Act Statement
      + Finances and Pay
      + Structure and People
  * Resources
      + Media Centre
      + Human Rights Education
      + Human Rights Courses
      + Annual report archive
  * Get Involved
      + Join
      + Take Action
      + Volunteer
  * Latest
      + News
      + Campaigns
      + Research
  * Work With Us

    If you are talented and passionate about human rights then
    Amnesty International wants to hear from you.

    Jobs & Internships

  * Privacy Policy
  * Cookie Statement
  * Permissions
  * Refunds of Donations

(c) 2023 Amnesty International

Follow us on:

  * Facebook
  * Twitter
  * YouTube
  * Instagram