These days the 41st International Conference of Commissioners for the Protection of Private Life and Personal Data (ICDPPC) is being held.

In this context, the Organization Electronic Privacy Information Center – EPIC has published an International Declaration by calling for the cessation of facial recognition technology. 

Our organization, along with other organizations, such as Privacy International, Access Now, Algorithmic Justice League, Digitalcourage e.V. etc., and individuals have singed this Declaration. 

The context of the Declaration calls, inter alia, the States to suspend the use of facial recognition technology for mass surveillance purposes, and to adopt the necessary legal rules, technical standards and ethical guidelines, in order to cooperate in the future, also further develop and use such technology, with the respect of privacy, the protection of personal data and the prohibition of discrimination. 

You can sign the Declaration either as individual or as organization here.

Our organization has been involved in similar activities in the past, such as the signing of the International Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence published by EPIC at the same conference in 2018. Indeed, last year we were pleased to attend that conference.