2024 Olympics: Assembly adopts controversial article on algorithmic video surveillance

Europe 1 with AFP 13:53 p.m., March 23, 2023

The National Assembly approved Thursday the use of so-called "smart" video surveillance, based on algorithms, that the executive wants to experiment before and during the Olympics-2024, despite fears of security drifts of the left. Article 7 of the Olympic bill was adopted with 59 votes in favour (presidential majority - LR - RN) against 14 against (Nupes). It provides on an experimental basis that the security of "sporting, recreational or cultural events" of magnitude can use algorithms.

The Rugby World Cup also concerned?

The Olympics are in the line of sight but the experiment, which must stop at the end of 2024, could start as soon as the law is promulgated, and concern for example the next Rugby World Cup in September-October. The stated goal: to analyze the images captured by cameras or drones, to automatically detect potentially risky facts or gestures.

The list of "events" to be detected must be fixed by decree, after the opinion of the National Commission for Informatics and Liberties (CNIL). During the debates, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin cited as examples "a fire start, population bottlenecks, an abandoned parcel or bag". But "not the hoodies," he said, pressed for questions from the left.

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The deputies of the Nupes are concerned about the possible misuse of this technology, fearing that the Olympics will only serve as a springboard to generalize this type of surveillance to the population. The executive insists on safeguards, the absence of facial recognition, and the need to secure the Games and the millions of spectators expected. "Predetermined events concern not people but situations," insisted Gérald Darmanin, without convincing them. Associations defending freedoms are against it, such as the National Bar Council.

"Biometric" nature of data

Much of the debate has revolved around whether or not data is "biometric", for example to isolate and track a person. The majority and the government assure that they do not have this character. "It will necessarily be biometric data," insisted Sandra Regol (ecologist).

Opposition MPs have tried to further limit the experiment, to confine it to luggage abandonment, or to impose the fact that the state is solely responsible for the analysis of data, without resorting to the private sector, but without success.

An amendment by RN Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, chair of the study group on digital security and sovereignty, was adopted. It intends to prioritize the use of European companies. But the fact that members of the majority, members of the study group, co-signed or subamended an RN amendment, outraged the left. "We are on a drift of this majority that no longer knows where it is going," denounced the ecologist Jeremie Iordanoff.