Thread by @edri

1/8 👂 WHEN THEY HEAR US: After a majority of respondents called on the EU to ban biometric identification in the #AIWhitePaper consultation, the @EU_Commission says a ban is still being considered.
#BanThisBS #FacialRecognition #MassSurveillance #DemocracyInAction #PeoplePower

2/8 What is at stake with biometric surveillance? Our reality as we know it! We must protect our democratic public spaces– and with them, our freedoms to speak, to assemble, to protest and to express ourselves.

#BanThisBS #FacialRecognition

3/8 Europe, right now 🇪🇺: more than 15 countries have secretly experimented with harmful #Biometric systems like #FacialRecognition in public spaces. They have often ignored existing laws & showed no respect for democracy or critical public opinion.

4/8 Why else do we need a ban on biometrics in the EU? Private actors are increasing their power & profits by watching and analysing us all. The biometric tools they develop are undignified: intrusive, biased, often discriminatory and violate our #FundamentalRights and freedoms.

5/8 We welcome the commitments of @EU_Commission and Kilian Gross to listening to the public on these important topics, but warn that “fostering the uptake of AI” for it’s own sake will conflict with the EU’s obligations to #FundamentalRights.

6/8 @EDRi thanks #DigitalRights allies in @EU_Parliament for raising their voices to protect our democracies from biometric mass surveillance at last week’s #IMCO debate 💚✊🏽 The fight is carried on many fronts – together we can protect our communities & public spaces! #BanThisBS

7/8 The EDRi network’s paper on #BiometricMassSurveillance explains why current uses of #FacialRecognition and other biometric technologies are a fundamental threat for *EVERYONE* and what the @EU_Commission needs to do about it. Share away:

edri.org/blog-ban-biome…

8/8 What can you do ?

➊ Join our campaigns list and tell your friends the fight is starting mailman.edri.org/mailman/listin…
➋ Follow the @EDRi network for the latest news on #BanBiometricMassSurveillance @EDRi

✊🏾✊✊🏿 #BanThisBS #PowerToThePeople