De Wever I to allow AI cameras to catch phone use while driving

The new federal government plans to expand the permitted use of smart cameras to facilitate police work. According to business newspaper De Tijd, the intention is to use more AI cameras to track down suspects and, for example, detect mobile phone use behind the wheel.

The network of license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be used to signal road pirates and traffic criminals to the police, and specific legislation will detect mobile phone use behind the wheel with unmanned devices.

Controversial

The new government also wants to set up experiments to test new digital applications, such as facial recognition technology for detecting convicts and suspects.

However, the use of cameras with AI to recognize people is controversial. Opponents believe that it affects citizens’ privacy. The new European law on artificial intelligence, the AI Act, prohibits its use in public spaces but makes an exception for detecting serious crimes. The question is how far that exception can be stretched in practice.

Improve efficiency

Still, the new De Wever government plans to “expand the existing camera law to enable more applications of (smart) camera surveillance.” Furthermore, the police will be allowed to use AI to work more efficiently, for example, with transcription technology to transcribe conversations and interrogations more quickly.

The coalition also wants to create more space for companies and researchers to test new technologies without considering all applicable legislation and regulations.

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