New Police Act in Hesse: Dispute over AI-based video surveillance!

New Police Act in Hesse: Dispute over AI-based video surveillance!

In Hesse, the state government under the CDU and SPD has significantly expanded the rights of the police, in particular by introducing video surveillance with artificial intelligence (AI). The state parliament recently approved a comprehensive security law that enables the use of automated face recognition to react quickly to impending dangers. This new regulation follows according to a number of incidents that have affected the security feeling of the citizens. Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) emphasized the need for these measures in view of a tense security situation and referred to the responsibility of the authorities to act adequately in order to recognize and combat threats in good time, the F.A. .

police tactic under pressure

The decision to introduce AI into video surveillance triggered violent criticism from opposition parties such as FDP, Greens and even the AfD. These parties are alarmed by the way the law was adopted and criticize the lack of parliamentary discussion, which they perceive as a "amendment by the back door". Moritz Promny from the FDP spoke of a constitutional risk and announced that it would act against the law. In a similar tenor, Vanessa Gronemann noted from the Greens that the talks with experts would have been necessary to change the legal change, since the new law "attacks fundamental rights deeply", as the hessenschau reported.

The new police law now also allows the biometric data balance in real time and the expansion of video surveillance to additional focal points. The aspect is particularly excited that these measures should not be tested immediately in the future, but immediately. Poseck emphasizes that the state must remain capable of action, while the critics point out that these changes are not synonymous with more security.