Berlin police used facial recognition in six investigations
Berlin prosecutors deployed facial recognition software in six criminal investigations to identify suspects and monitor escape routes of organized theft gangs, though the actual operations occurred in Brandenburg and Saxony. The Berlin Data Protection Officer initiated a review after learning of the practice, and civil society groups called for greater transparency in the deployment.
What happened
Facial recognition software was deployed in six criminal investigations by Berlin prosecutors, though the actual deployments took place in Brandenburg and Saxony as mutual legal assistance. The system consisted of fixed and mobile cameras installed on vehicles that captured and matched photos of people and vehicles in real-time against suspect images in the computer system. Identification of 31 alleged offenders was the stated purpose, with the investigations focused on organized theft gangs and their escape routes.
Reported impact
The Green Party in Berlin and Brandenburg criticized the deployment and demanded greater transparency. The Berlin Data Protection Officer learned of the practice only through written inquiries from the parliamentary delegation and initiated a review to examine data protection responsibility, the technology used, and the legal bases for deployment.
Index analysis
The use of facial recognition by Berlin police required judicial approval according to Brandenburg regulations. The police cited high legal hurdles that limited when deployment was permitted under their own rules.
Governance controls
The Berlin Data Protection Officer requested information from Berlin prosecutors regarding data protection responsibility, the technology deployed, and the legal grounds for the operation. The responses were under evaluation at the time of reporting.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.