How to Save Face, Pt. 2

Our Report on the Most Effective Tools for Challenging the Use of Facial Recognition Technologies by Law Enforcement and Judicial Authorities in Italy

Our Ongoing Research on Strategies to Challenge the Use of Facial Recognition Technology!

Last year, we received funding from the Digital Freedom Fund—previously mentioned here—to answer a key question: what is the most appropriate strategic litigation path to challenge the use of facial recognition technologies (FRT) by law enforcement and judicial authorities in Italy?

In our first report, we outlined the legal and case law framework for FRT at the national, European, and international levels, with a particular focus on the relevance of FRT in criminal proceedings.

In this new report, we have investigated the actual use of FRT by police stations, public prosecutors, and local authorities across Italy through a survey.

Local authorities, in particular, provided substantial responses to our questions, allowing us to create a map of both past and current uses in relation to the moratorium, as well as future intentions regarding the adoption of these technologies.

This study is intended for legal practitioners, NGOs, associations, and other civil society representatives. It serves as a starting point for monitoring the use of FRT in “critical” activities, such as identifying individuals and controlling public spaces.

• Are you a lawyer facing a potential criminal case in which FRT has been used?
• Have you been subjected to recognition through an FRT system (e.g., SARI-Enterprise) with criminal consequences?

Contact us: We can provide the necessary assistance to navigate this complex area and identify the best strategic moves.

Together, we can strengthen fundamental rights and freedoms that are closely tied to the proper use of facial recognition!