Συστήματα αναγνώρισης προσώπου σε δημόσιους χώρους για σκοπούς επιβολής του Νόμου : Κίνδυνοι στο πλαίσιο του Κανονισμού για την Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη

Δημάκη, Μαρία

Facial recognition systems in public spaces for law enforcement purposes : Risks under the AI ACT

Master Thesis

Author

Δημάκη, Μαρία

Date

2026-07

Abstract

For more than half a century, the vision of machines that ‘see’ and recognize faces has captivated the research community, transitioning from the realm of science fiction to a pervasive reality. What began as a computationally challenging problem, requiring laborious manual feature extraction, has evolved into a cornerstone of modern security, convenience, and even social interaction. However, this rapid technological evolution is not without its complexities. The trajectory from the pioneering work of Bledsoe and Kanade to today’s ‘colossal’ deep learning models reveals not only a history of algorithmic innovation but also a shifting landscape of ethical concerns, reliance on biometric data, and an enduring challenge regarding the very definition of ‘identity’. In response to these concerns, the European Union chose to regulate biometric technologies through the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). While the Regulation aims to prohibit ‘real-time’ remote biometric identification systems for the purposes of law enforcement due to the unacceptable risks they pose to fundamental rights, it simultaneously introduces extensive exceptions. These exceptions may broaden the technology’s scope of application, extending its use beyond the original intent. Conversely, post-remote biometric identification systems are classified merely as ‘high-risk,’ subject to less stringent requirements, a fact that intensifies fears that their indiscriminate use could lead to conditions of mass surveillance. In light of the controversies surrounding this regulatory framework, this study aims to map out this evolution by examining the technological milestones, persistent hurdles, and legal issues that will shape the future of automated facial recognition. Through an analysis of the Regulation’s relevant provisions, this thesis further investigates the implications of these systems for human rights and civil liberties, juxtaposing them against the anticipated security benefits, in order to assess whether their use by states is justified or if their prohibition is warranted.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Δίκαιο και Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών (MSc in Law and Information and Communication Technologies)

Department

Σχολή Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορικής και Επικοινωνιών. Τμήμα Ψηφιακών Συστημάτων

Number of pages

103

Language

Greek

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19598

Collections

Τμήμα Ψηφιακών Συστημάτων

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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα