Facial Tech At Protest Sparks Privacy Row
While the CRPF is reportedly looking into allegations of “unfair” and excessive force, including the use of pellet guns by Rapid Action Force personnel, the Delhi Police’s deployment of facial recognition technology during the July 20 student protest has triggered a broader debate on surveillance, privacy and civil liberties.
Defending the use of AI-powered Facial Recognition System cameras, DP-Drishti and Ikshana surveillance vehicles and mobile command vehicles, Delhi police said the technology helped identify over 2,500 people with criminal backgrounds and prevented anti-social elements from entering the protest site.
Student organizations and digital rights advocates questioned the deployment of facial recognition systems at a public demonstration. They argued that indiscriminate screening of protesters, especially in the absence of a clearly defined legal framework, could undermine privacy and have a chilling effect on the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Parallel debates over crowd control methods and technology-driven surveillance have intensified calls for accountability and greater transparency regarding the behavior of security agencies during the protest.
Delhi Police also stated that even if the cases registered in connection with the protests are withdrawn, the investigation into the alleged conspiracy behind the clashes will continue. Investigators are reportedly reviewing CCTV footage, digital evidence, mobile phone records and witness accounts to identify those suspected of planning or inciting the violence.
Official figures put the number of injured students at around 70, including one protester who lost his eye after being hit with pellets. However, the police claimed that nearly 200 security personnel were injured in the clashes.
