Police Law Lower Saxony: Constitutional concerns regarding planned surveillance measures

Niedersachsen's proposed police law is facing significant constitutional scrutiny, particularly concerning its ambitious AI-driven surveillance proposals. Experts, including the State Data Protection Commissioner, have raised alarms about the potential for these measures to infringe upon fundamental rights. The draft law seeks to empower the police with advanced technologies, prompting concerns about the balance between security and civil liberties. The core of the controversy lies in the planned integration of four distinct AI-powered surveillance capabilities: intelligent video surveillance, real-time biometric remote identification, public data matching, and automated data analysis. These technologies, as outlined in the draft, are seen by critics as pushing the boundaries of acceptable AI practices, potentially crossing into high-risk categories without adequate safeguards. The intensity of these intrusions is a primary concern for constitutional validity. The proposed law's impact extends to all citizens, as it could fundamentally alter how personal data is collected and utilized by law enforcement. By enabling broad data analysis beyond specific criminal incidents, it risks creating a pervasive surveillance infrastructure. This shift from purpose-bound data collection to a searchable person-centric database represents a significant paradigm change, raising profound questions about privacy and due process.