Biometric surveillance: "Body data is not freely disposable"

The use of biometric data from the internet by law enforcement agencies is facing strong legal challenges in Germany, with privacy advocates and digital rights organizations claiming it violates European and constitutional law. A press conference in Berlin highlighted these concerns, supported by expert analysis. The core issue revolves around the potential for mass surveillance and the misuse of personal data. The debate focuses on proposed legislation that would grant authorities access to biometric data, such as photos, found online to identify suspects or victims of serious crimes. However, critics, including the Chaos Computer Club and AlgorithmWatch, argue that such measures are unlawful under existing regulations. They highlight that biometric data, being unique and immutable, should not be freely available for use by the state or commercial entities. The main concern is the infringement on fundamental rights through biometric mass surveillance. This practice is deemed unlawful regardless of the entity conducting it, emphasizing the potential for abuse. The EU's AI Act further complicates the issue, as it prohibits the creation or expansion of facial recognition databases through the indiscriminate collection of images from the internet. The future of this proposed legislation is uncertain.