{"id":30603,"date":"2026-08-18T11:30:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=30603"},"modified":"2026-08-18T11:39:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:39:45","slug":"delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Delhi Police Facial Recognition at Protests: Supreme Court Privacy Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 id=\"h-delhi-police-s-facial-recognition-tool-only-captures-persons-having-criminal-records-at-protests-a-constitutional-privacy-question-in-the-age-of-ai-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Delhi_Polices_Facial_Recognition_Tool_Only_Captures_Persons_Having_Criminal_Records_at_Protests_A_Constitutional_Privacy_Question_in_the_Age_of_AI_Surveillance\"><\/span>Delhi Police\u2019s Facial Recognition Tool Only Captures Persons Having Criminal Records at Protests: A Constitutional Privacy Question in the Age of AI Surveillance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-introduction-when-a-protester-s-face-becomes-police-data\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction_When_a_Protesters_Face_Becomes_Police_Data\"><\/span>Introduction: When a Protester\u2019s Face Becomes Police Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A particularly important constitutional issue has now emerged before the Supreme Court of India: <strong>how far can the police go in using facial-recognition technology to identify people attending a public protest?<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Delhi_Polices_Facial_Recognition_Tool_Only_Captures_Persons_Having_Criminal_Records_at_Protests_A_Constitutional_Privacy_Question_in_the_Age_of_AI_Surveillance\" >Delhi Police\u2019s Facial Recognition Tool Only Captures Persons Having Criminal Records at Protests: A Constitutional Privacy Question in the Age of AI Surveillance<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Introduction_When_a_Protesters_Face_Becomes_Police_Data\" >Introduction: When a Protester\u2019s Face Becomes Police Data<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#1_What_Has_Delhi_Police_Told_the_Supreme_Court\" >1. What Has Delhi Police Told the Supreme Court?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#2_The_Constitutional_Problem_Begins_With_the_Face\" >2. The Constitutional Problem Begins With the Face<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#3_The_Supreme_Courts_Landmark_Privacy_Judgement\" >3. The Supreme Court\u2019s Landmark Privacy Judgement<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Justice_KS_Puttaswamy_Retd_v_Union_of_India\" >Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#4_The_Puttaswamy_Test_Legality_Legitimate_Aim_Necessity_and_Proportionality\" >4. The Puttaswamy Test: Legality, Legitimate Aim, Necessity and Proportionality<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#41_Legality\" >4.1 Legality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#42_Legitimate_State_Aim\" >4.2 Legitimate State Aim<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#43_Necessity\" >4.3 Necessity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#44_Proportionality\" >4.4 Proportionality<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#5_%E2%80%9COnly_Criminals_Were_Captured%E2%80%9D_Does_Not_End_the_Debate\" >5. \u201cOnly Criminals Were Captured\u201d Does Not End the Debate<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Question_1_Whose_faces_enter_the_system\" >Question 1: Whose faces enter the system?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Question_2_Are_those_faces_processed\" >Question 2: Are those faces processed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Question_3_What_happens_to_non-matches\" >Question 3: What happens to non-matches?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Question_4_What_happens_to_false_matches\" >Question 4: What happens to false matches?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Question_5_What_happens_to_historical_police_records\" >Question 5: What happens to historical police records?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#6_A_Police_Record_Does_Not_Automatically_Mean_a_Person_Is_a_Criminal\" >6. A Police Record Does Not Automatically Mean a Person Is a Criminal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#7_The_Right_to_Protest_Under_Article_19\" >7. The Right to Protest Under Article 19<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#8_The_Chilling_Effect_The_Most_Subtle_Constitutional_Danger\" >8. The Chilling Effect: The Most Subtle Constitutional Danger<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#9_Public_Place_Does_Not_Mean_%E2%80%9CConstitution-Free_Zone%E2%80%9D\" >9. Public Place Does Not Mean \u201cConstitution-Free Zone\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#10_Facial_Recognition_Is_Not_Ordinary_CCTV\" >10. Facial Recognition Is Not Ordinary CCTV<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Ordinary_CCTV\" >Ordinary CCTV<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Facial_Recognition\" >Facial Recognition<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#11_What_About_Persons_With_Previous_Criminal_Cases\" >11. What About Persons With Previous Criminal Cases?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#12_The_Problem_of_Function_Creep\" >12. The Problem of Function Creep<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#13_The_Data_Protection_Question\" >13. The Data Protection Question<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Data_minimisation\" >Data minimisation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Purpose_limitation\" >Purpose limitation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Retention_limitation\" >Retention limitation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Access_control\" >Access control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Security\" >Security<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Deletion\" >Deletion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Correction\" >Correction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Accountability\" >Accountability<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#14_Facial_Recognition_and_Article_14\" >14. Facial Recognition and Article 14<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#15_The_Supreme_Courts_Role_Is_Not_to_Decide_Whether_Technology_Is_Good_or_Bad\" >15. The Supreme Court\u2019s Role Is Not to Decide Whether Technology Is Good or Bad<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#16_The_Missing_Legal_Framework_Is_a_Serious_Concern\" >16. The Missing Legal Framework Is a Serious Concern<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#17_What_Should_a_Constitutionally_Sound_Facial-Recognition_Framework_Contain\" >17. What Should a Constitutionally Sound Facial-Recognition Framework Contain?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#171_Specific_Legal_Authority\" >17.1 Specific Legal Authority<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#172_Defined_Purpose\" >17.2 Defined Purpose<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#173_Necessity_Requirement\" >17.3 Necessity Requirement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#174_Proportionality_Assessment\" >17.4 Proportionality Assessment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#175_Independent_Authorisation\" >17.5 Independent Authorisation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#176_Limited_Databases\" >17.6 Limited Databases<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#177_Immediate_Deletion_of_Irrelevant_Data\" >17.7 Immediate Deletion of Irrelevant Data<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#178_Human_Verification\" >17.8 Human Verification<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-48\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#179_Auditability\" >17.9 Auditability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-49\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#1710_Remedies\" >17.10 Remedies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#18_The_Court_May_Have_to_Draw_a_Line_Between_Targeted_Surveillance_and_Mass_Surveillance\" >18. The Court May Have to Draw a Line Between Targeted Surveillance and Mass Surveillance<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-51\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Targeted_Surveillance\" >Targeted Surveillance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-52\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Mass_Surveillance\" >Mass Surveillance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-53\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#19_The_Jantar_Mantar_Context_Makes_the_Case_Especially_Significant\" >19. The Jantar Mantar Context Makes the Case Especially Significant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#20_AI_Surveillance_May_Change_the_Meaning_of_%E2%80%9CBeing_in_Public%E2%80%9D\" >20. AI Surveillance May Change the Meaning of \u201cBeing in Public\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#21_The_Police_Also_Have_Constitutional_Duties\" >21. The Police Also Have Constitutional Duties<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-56\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#22_The_Difference_Between_Investigation_and_Surveillance\" >22. The Difference Between Investigation and Surveillance<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-57\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Investigation\" >Investigation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-58\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Surveillance\" >Surveillance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-59\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#23_Facial_Recognition_Should_Never_Become_a_Substitute_for_Evidence\" >23. Facial Recognition Should Never Become a Substitute for Evidence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#24_The_Presumption_of_Innocence_Must_Survive_the_Algorithm\" >24. The Presumption of Innocence Must Survive the Algorithm<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-61\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#25_What_the_Supreme_Court_Could_Potentially_Examine\" >25. What the Supreme Court Could Potentially Examine<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#A_Legal_authority\" >A. Legal authority<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-63\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#B_Privacy\" >B. Privacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-64\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#C_Article_19\" >C. Article 19<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-65\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#D_Proportionality\" >D. Proportionality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-66\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#E_Data_retention\" >E. Data retention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-67\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#F_Accuracy\" >F. Accuracy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-68\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#G_Accountability\" >G. Accountability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-69\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#H_Transparency\" >H. Transparency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-70\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#I_Function_creep\" >I. Function creep<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-71\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#J_Remedy\" >J. Remedy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-72\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#26_My_Legal_Assessment\" >26. My Legal Assessment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-73\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#27_The_Larger_Principle_Technology_Must_Remain_Under_the_Constitution\" >27. The Larger Principle: Technology Must Remain Under the Constitution<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-74\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#28_Conclusion_The_Face_of_Democracy_Must_Not_Become_a_Police_Database\" >28. Conclusion: The Face of Democracy Must Not Become a Police Database<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-75\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Key_Legal_Takeaways\" >Key Legal Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-76\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Important_Clarification\" >Important Clarification<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-77\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Need_Legal_Guidance_on_Privacy_Facial_Recognition_or_Police_Surveillance\" >Need Legal Guidance on Privacy, Facial Recognition or Police Surveillance?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-78\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Adv_Tarun_Choudhury\" >Adv. Tarun Choudhury<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-79\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-80\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/delhi-police-facial-recognition-protests-supreme-court-privacy\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Delhi Police has reportedly told the Supreme Court that its facial-recognition system deployed around the student protests did not indiscriminately capture or profile ordinary protesters. According to its affidavit, the technology was configured to identify persons whose photographs already existed in police records, particularly persons associated with serious offences, wanted persons, absconders, habitual offenders or history-sheeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first sight, this may appear to answer the privacy objection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In my considered view, the police explanation actually brings the constitutional question into sharper focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The real question is not merely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cDid the police identify criminals?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The deeper constitutional questions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What legal authority permitted the facial scanning?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Was every face in the camera\u2019s field of view processed before the system identified a match?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What biometric information was collected?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For how long was that information retained?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Was information concerning innocent protesters deleted?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What database was used for matching?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who had access to the information?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What safeguards prevented misuse?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Was the technology necessary for maintaining public order?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Was there a less intrusive method available?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can attending a peaceful protest result in one&#8217;s biometric identity being recorded by the State?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does the use of AI-powered surveillance have a chilling effect on the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Articles 19 and 21?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are not merely technological questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are <strong>constitutional questions concerning the relationship between the individual and the modern surveillance state.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The issue is therefore much larger than the particular student protests at Jantar Mantar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Citation:<\/strong> <em>Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India<\/em>, (2017) 10 SCC 1; <em>Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India<\/em>, (2018) 17 SCC 324. The immediate 2026 development concerns an affidavit\/counter-affidavit filed by the Delhi Police before the Supreme Court regarding facial-recognition technology allegedly used around the Jantar Mantar student protests. It is important to clarify that this development is <strong>not itself a final Supreme Court judgement on the legality of facial recognition at protests<\/strong>. The constitutional issue is presently under judicial consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-1-what-has-delhi-police-told-the-supreme-court\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_What_Has_Delhi_Police_Told_the_Supreme_Court\"><\/span>1. What Has Delhi Police Told the Supreme Court?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The immediate controversy arises from the use of facial recognition and other surveillance technologies during student demonstrations in Delhi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reports indicate that Delhi Police deployed facial-recognition systems around the protest area and used them to identify persons whose images could be matched against police databases. Earlier reports had stated that thousands of individuals with criminal records were identified in connection with the protest period, although the police subsequently clarified its position regarding the nature and purpose of the facial-recognition exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">appearThe latest affidavit is significant because the police appears to be drawing a distinction between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>mass surveillance of ordinary citizens<\/strong>, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>targeted identification of persons already having serious criminal records.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the police position reported today, the facial-recognition software was not intended to create a database of peaceful protesters generally but to identify persons whose identities were already available in police records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction will undoubtedly be important before the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it is not necessarily decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-2-the-constitutional-problem-begins-with-the-face\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_The_Constitutional_Problem_Begins_With_the_Face\"><\/span>2. The Constitutional Problem Begins With the Face<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person&#8217;s face is not merely another photograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the digital environment, a face can become a <strong>biometric identifier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once technology can convert a face into a digital representation and compare it against government databases, the state&#8217;s capacity to identify, track and associate individuals becomes substantially greater than traditional photography or ordinary CCTV surveillance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is precisely why facial-recognition technology creates a constitutional problem different from conventional policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A police officer looking at a crowd may observe individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An automated facial-recognition system can potentially:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>capture faces;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>extract biometric characteristics;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>compare those characteristics against a database;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>generate a possible identity;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>associate that identity with previous police records;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>preserve the result electronically;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>enable subsequent investigation or monitoring.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The technology therefore changes the <strong>scale, speed and permanence of surveillance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why the constitutional analysis cannot stop at the statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe cameras were placed in a public place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being physically visible in public does not necessarily mean that a citizen has surrendered every aspect of informational privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-3-the-supreme-court-s-landmark-privacy-judgement\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_The_Supreme_Courts_Landmark_Privacy_Judgement\"><\/span>3. The Supreme Court\u2019s Landmark Privacy Judgement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The starting point is the nine-judge Constitution Bench judgement in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-justice-k-s-puttaswamy-retd-v-union-of-india\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Justice_KS_Puttaswamy_Retd_v_Union_of_India\"><\/span><em>Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Citation:<\/strong> <strong>(2017) 10 SCC 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court unanimously recognised privacy as a fundamental constitutional right and located it principally within Article 21, while also recognising its relationship with the freedoms and guarantees contained in Part III of the Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The significance of <em>Puttaswamy<\/em> cannot be overstated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Privacy is not simply the right to close the door of one&#8217;s house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It encompasses bodily privacy, decisional privacy and <strong>informational privacy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the modern digital state, informational privacy becomes increasingly important because information about an individual can reveal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>identity;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>associations;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>movements;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>relationships;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>habits;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>political participation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>professional activities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>religious or ideological associations;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>social networks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A protest can itself reveal something about a person&#8217;s exercise of constitutional freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consequently, the State&#8217;s ability to automatically identify everyone attending a particular demonstration raises a privacy question even where the protest occurs in a public place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-4-the-puttaswamy-test-legality-legitimate-aim-necessity-and-proportionality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_The_Puttaswamy_Test_Legality_Legitimate_Aim_Necessity_and_Proportionality\"><\/span>4. The Puttaswamy Test: Legality, Legitimate Aim, Necessity and Proportionality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court&#8217;s privacy jurisprudence provides a structured constitutional framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Government action interfering with privacy must satisfy constitutional requirements, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-1-legality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"41_Legality\"><\/span>4.1 Legality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There must be a valid legal basis for the intrusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is critical in the present context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is not merely whether the police possess general powers of investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is whether <strong>specific and adequate legal authority exists for automated biometric identification of people attending a public assembly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised the importance of legality in determining whether state action interfering with fundamental rights is constitutionally permissible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-2-legitimate-state-aim\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"42_Legitimate_State_Aim\"><\/span>4.2 Legitimate State Aim<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining public order, preventing crime and protecting life and property are plainly legitimate governmental objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is little difficulty in accepting that proposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional difficulty arises at the next stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-3-necessity\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"43_Necessity\"><\/span>4.3 Necessity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Was facial recognition actually necessary?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the police already possessed CCTV footage, photographs, eyewitness accounts and other investigative tools, was automated biometric identification required?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Could the same objective have been achieved through substantially less intrusive means?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-4-proportionality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"44_Proportionality\"><\/span>4.4 Proportionality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even where surveillance serves a legitimate purpose, the State cannot automatically adopt the most intrusive technological tool available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The intrusion must bear a rational relationship to the objective and must not be excessive in relation to the public interest being pursued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This proportionality analysis becomes particularly important where the technology operates over an entire crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-5-only-criminals-were-captured-does-not-end-the-debate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_%E2%80%9COnly_Criminals_Were_Captured%E2%80%9D_Does_Not_End_the_Debate\"><\/span>5. \u201cOnly Criminals Were Captured\u201d Does Not End the Debate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is, perhaps, the most important legal point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suppose the police system is designed to identify only persons whose photographs already exist in a criminal database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That may significantly strengthen the State&#8217;s justification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the Court may still have to examine <strong>how the system works in practice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-question-1-whose-faces-enter-the-system\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_1_Whose_faces_enter_the_system\"><\/span>Question 1: Whose faces enter the system?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If cameras are recording a crowd, the initial visual field necessarily contains many innocent persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-question-2-are-those-faces-processed\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_2_Are_those_faces_processed\"><\/span>Question 2: Are those faces processed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If every face is algorithmically compared against a database before a match is generated, the privacy issue cannot simply be dismissed by saying that only criminals were ultimately identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-question-3-what-happens-to-non-matches\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_3_What_happens_to_non-matches\"><\/span>Question 3: What happens to non-matches?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are they immediately discarded?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or are they stored?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-question-4-what-happens-to-false-matches\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_4_What_happens_to_false_matches\"><\/span>Question 4: What happens to false matches?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Facial-recognition systems can produce erroneous matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A technological \u201cmatch\u201d is therefore not necessarily equivalent to proof of identity or criminal involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-question-5-what-happens-to-historical-police-records\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_5_What_happens_to_historical_police_records\"><\/span>Question 5: What happens to historical police records?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person may have an old case, a previous accusation, an acquittal, a discharged proceeding or some other police record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional system must distinguish carefully between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>criminal conviction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>mere presence in a police database.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction is fundamental to the rule of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-6-a-police-record-does-not-automatically-mean-a-person-is-a-criminal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_A_Police_Record_Does_Not_Automatically_Mean_a_Person_Is_a_Criminal\"><\/span>6. A Police Record Does Not Automatically Mean a Person Is a Criminal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This issue deserves particular emphasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The phrase \u201ccriminal record\u201d can sometimes obscure important legal distinctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person may appear in a police database because of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>an FIR;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an investigation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an arrest;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a previous case;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a pending prosecution;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a history sheet;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an old allegation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a case ultimately ending in acquittal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of these circumstances should automatically be equated with a judicial finding of guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The presumption of innocence remains a foundational principle of criminal jurisprudence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, if facial recognition produces a database match, that match should be treated as an <strong>investigative lead<\/strong>, not as proof that the person committed an offence at the protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This distinction becomes especially important when technology is presented as an objective or infallible authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An algorithm is not a judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A database is not a conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And a facial match is not proof of participation in violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-7-the-right-to-protest-under-article-19\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_The_Right_to_Protest_Under_Article_19\"><\/span>7. The Right to Protest Under Article 19<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional discussion cannot be confined to Article 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A peaceful protest is connected directly with the freedoms guaranteed by Article 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 19(1)(a) protects freedom of speech and expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 19(1)(b) protects the right to assemble peaceably and without arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court has recognised the constitutional importance of peaceful demonstrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <em>Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India<\/em>, <strong>(2018) 17 SCC 324<\/strong>, the Court dealt specifically with demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and recognised that peaceful protest is constitutionally protected, while also emphasising the need to balance the rights of protesters with the rights and interests of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This principle is extremely relevant today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Constitution does not grant protesters an absolute immunity from police investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If violence occurs, the police unquestionably have authority to investigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the existence of a constitutional right to protest means that the State must be careful not to convert <strong>attendance at a peaceful protest into a surveillance event.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-8-the-chilling-effect-the-most-subtle-constitutional-danger\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_The_Chilling_Effect_The_Most_Subtle_Constitutional_Danger\"><\/span>8. The Chilling Effect: The Most Subtle Constitutional Danger<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is another dimension which courts must consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine a student deciding whether to attend a lawful demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before going, the student learns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPolice cameras equipped with facial-recognition technology are operating at the protest site.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The student may then decide not to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because the protest is illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because the student intends to commit an offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But because the student does not want the state to know that he or she participated in a particular political or social movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is known as the <strong>chilling effect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional injury may therefore occur even without arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even without prosecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even without detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even without publication of the person&#8217;s identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mere knowledge that participation in a lawful public assembly may automatically create a biometric record can potentially discourage citizens from exercising Article 19 freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why surveillance and free speech cannot always be examined separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-9-public-place-does-not-mean-constitution-free-zone\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Public_Place_Does_Not_Mean_%E2%80%9CConstitution-Free_Zone%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>9. Public Place Does Not Mean \u201cConstitution-Free Zone\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One argument likely to arise is straightforward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe protest took place in a public place. People cannot expect privacy in a public place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That proposition is too broad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person standing on a public road obviously cannot claim the same physical privacy available inside a private home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But informational privacy is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is not simply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCould someone see me?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cCan the State automatically identify, classify, store and analyse my identity and associate it with a particular exercise of my constitutional freedoms?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modern technology has fundamentally changed the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditional surveillance and automated biometric surveillance are not necessarily constitutionally equivalent merely because both begin with a camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-10-facial-recognition-is-not-ordinary-cctv\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Facial_Recognition_Is_Not_Ordinary_CCTV\"><\/span>10. Facial Recognition Is Not Ordinary CCTV<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This distinction deserves judicial attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-ordinary-cctv\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ordinary_CCTV\"><\/span>Ordinary CCTV<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A conventional camera may record an incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Investigators may later review the footage if an offence occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-facial-recognition\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Facial_Recognition\"><\/span>Facial Recognition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An automated system can potentially:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>scan faces in real time;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>compare them with databases;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>identify persons automatically;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>create alerts;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>associate identities with police records;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>facilitate subsequent investigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The difference is therefore not merely technological.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is constitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Facial recognition can transform surveillance from <strong>observation<\/strong> into <strong>identification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And identification is the gateway to much deeper forms of data processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-11-what-about-persons-with-previous-criminal-cases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_What_About_Persons_With_Previous_Criminal_Cases\"><\/span>11. What About Persons With Previous Criminal Cases?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Delhi Police&#8217;s stated justification is particularly interesting because it focuses on persons already appearing in criminal databases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The State can legitimately argue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a person wanted in a serious criminal case enters a protest where violence has occurred, identifying that person may be an entirely legitimate policing objective.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I would agree with that proposition in principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lawful protest cannot become a safe harbour for persons wanted for serious offences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police have a duty to prevent crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But constitutional policing requires <strong>precision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The State should be able to explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Which categories of persons are included?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What offences qualify?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who authorises inclusion?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How current must the database be?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What happens after acquittal?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How are mistaken identities corrected?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How long is facial data retained?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who can access the system?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is the information shared with other agencies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there an audit trail?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there judicial or independent oversight?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without answers to these questions, \u201cwe only identify criminals\u201d remains a conclusion rather than a complete constitutional safeguard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-12-the-problem-of-function-creep\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_The_Problem_of_Function_Creep\"><\/span>12. The Problem of Function Creep<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a familiar danger whenever surveillance technology is introduced for a narrowly defined purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It begins with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are looking only for wanted criminals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later it becomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are identifying persons connected with the investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are mapping protest participants.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And eventually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are maintaining a permanent intelligence database.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This phenomenon is often described as <strong>function creep<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A constitutional framework must prevent technology introduced for one legitimate purpose from silently becoming a general-purpose surveillance infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is particularly important with facial-recognition systems because the same technological infrastructure can potentially be used for many different objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-13-the-data-protection-question\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_The_Data_Protection_Question\"><\/span>13. The Data Protection Question<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another important issue is the handling of the information generated by the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A face captured by a camera is one thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A biometric template linked to an individual&#8217;s identity is something much more consequential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The State should therefore be required to answer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-data-minimisation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Data_minimisation\"><\/span>Data minimisation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Was only the information necessary for the policing objective collected?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-purpose-limitation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Purpose_limitation\"><\/span>Purpose limitation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Was the data used only for the purpose for which it was collected?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-retention-limitation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Retention_limitation\"><\/span>Retention limitation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How long was it retained?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-access-control\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Access_control\"><\/span>Access control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which officers could access it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-security\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Security\"><\/span>Security<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What safeguards protect the database?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-deletion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Deletion\"><\/span>Deletion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens to information concerning persons who were not involved in any offence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-correction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Correction\"><\/span>Correction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What mechanism exists for correcting a false identification?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-accountability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accountability\"><\/span>Accountability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is responsible when the system makes a mistake?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These questions should not be treated as administrative details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are central to the constitutional protection of informational privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-14-facial-recognition-and-article-14\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Facial_Recognition_and_Article_14\"><\/span>14. Facial Recognition and Article 14<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 14 should not be forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automated decision-making can raise equality concerns if the underlying technology disproportionately produces false matches for particular categories of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A facial-recognition system that performs unevenly across demographic groups can create serious constitutional consequences when its output becomes the basis for police action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, transparency concerning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>accuracy;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>error rates;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>testing;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>independent audits;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>false-positive rates;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>database quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">may become increasingly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police should not be permitted to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe computer identified him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional state must be able to explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why should the Court trust this identification, what safeguards existed, and what happened before coercive action was taken?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-15-the-supreme-court-s-role-is-not-to-decide-whether-technology-is-good-or-bad\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_The_Supreme_Courts_Role_Is_Not_to_Decide_Whether_Technology_Is_Good_or_Bad\"><\/span>15. The Supreme Court\u2019s Role Is Not to Decide Whether Technology Is Good or Bad<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional question is not whether facial recognition is inherently evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nor is it whether police should be prohibited from using artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technology can undoubtedly assist legitimate policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can help locate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>wanted persons;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>missing persons;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>suspects;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>persons involved in serious offences;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>individuals captured on CCTV during criminal incidents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Court&#8217;s task is more precise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It must determine the <strong>constitutional conditions under which such technology may be used.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future is not necessarily:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cNo facial recognition.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It may instead be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cFacial recognition subject to constitutional discipline.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-16-the-missing-legal-framework-is-a-serious-concern\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"16_The_Missing_Legal_Framework_Is_a_Serious_Concern\"><\/span>16. The Missing Legal Framework Is a Serious Concern<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the broader problems is that India does not yet have a comprehensive, dedicated statutory framework specifically regulating law-enforcement facial-recognition systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commentators have therefore raised concerns about the deployment of facial recognition and algorithmic policing without sufficiently detailed statutory safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates a difficult constitutional situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technology is moving rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The law often moves slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police departments can acquire new technological capabilities before Parliament has enacted detailed rules governing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>purpose;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>authorisation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>oversight;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>retention;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>deletion;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>disclosure;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>independent auditing;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>remedies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That gap cannot simply be filled by internal police instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When fundamental rights are implicated, the requirement of legality becomes particularly significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-17-what-should-a-constitutionally-sound-facial-recognition-framework-contain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"17_What_Should_a_Constitutionally_Sound_Facial-Recognition_Framework_Contain\"><\/span>17. What Should a Constitutionally Sound Facial-Recognition Framework Contain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In my view, if facial recognition is to be retained as a legitimate policing tool, India needs a clear statutory framework containing at least the following safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-1-specific-legal-authority\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"171_Specific_Legal_Authority\"><\/span>17.1 Specific Legal Authority<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The law should expressly authorise the use of facial recognition and identify the circumstances in which it can be deployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-2-defined-purpose\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"172_Defined_Purpose\"><\/span>17.2 Defined Purpose<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The system should be restricted to clearly defined objectives such as locating persons wanted for specified serious offences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-3-necessity-requirement\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"173_Necessity_Requirement\"><\/span>17.3 Necessity Requirement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deployment should require a demonstrable policing necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-4-proportionality-assessment\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"174_Proportionality_Assessment\"><\/span>17.4 Proportionality Assessment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Authorities should record why less intrusive alternatives are inadequate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-5-independent-authorisation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"175_Independent_Authorisation\"><\/span>17.5 Independent Authorisation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For particularly intrusive deployments, independent or judicial authorisation should be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-6-limited-databases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"176_Limited_Databases\"><\/span>17.6 Limited Databases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only appropriately defined categories should be searchable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-7-immediate-deletion-of-irrelevant-data\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"177_Immediate_Deletion_of_Irrelevant_Data\"><\/span>17.7 Immediate Deletion of Irrelevant Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Information relating to persons unconnected with an offence should not become a permanent police record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-8-human-verification\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"178_Human_Verification\"><\/span>17.8 Human Verification<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No arrest or coercive action should be based solely upon an algorithmic facial match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-9-auditability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"179_Auditability\"><\/span>17.9 Auditability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every search should generate an auditable record showing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>who searched;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>when;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>why;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>against which database;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What result was produced<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What action followed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-17-10-remedies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1710_Remedies\"><\/span>17.10 Remedies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Citizens must have a mechanism to challenge wrongful identification and obtain correction or deletion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-18-the-court-may-have-to-draw-a-line-between-targeted-surveillance-and-mass-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"18_The_Court_May_Have_to_Draw_a_Line_Between_Targeted_Surveillance_and_Mass_Surveillance\"><\/span>18. The Court May Have to Draw a Line Between Targeted Surveillance and Mass Surveillance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may ultimately become one of the most important distinctions in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-targeted-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Targeted_Surveillance\"><\/span>Targeted Surveillance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police possess credible information that a particular wanted person may attend a particular location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Facial recognition is deployed narrowly to identify that person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This has a stronger constitutional justification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mass-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mass_Surveillance\"><\/span>Mass Surveillance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Facial recognition continuously scans everyone attending a protest, generating a searchable record of their identities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This presents a substantially greater privacy and associational concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional difference lies in <strong>scope, purpose, necessity and retention<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The state&#8217;s case becomes stronger as the surveillance becomes narrower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The citizen&#8217;s constitutional objection becomes stronger as the surveillance becomes broader and more permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-19-the-jantar-mantar-context-makes-the-case-especially-significant\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"19_The_Jantar_Mantar_Context_Makes_the_Case_Especially_Significant\"><\/span>19. The Jantar Mantar Context Makes the Case Especially Significant<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is an additional irony here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jantar Mantar is historically associated with democratic protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court itself has dealt with the competing interests surrounding demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in <em>Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question before the constitutional courts today is therefore not simply whether police may maintain order at a protest site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They plainly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The deeper question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How should constitutional democracy respond when the state acquires technological powers capable of identifying every participant in the exercise of democratic dissent?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is a question which will become more important, not less, over the next decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-20-ai-surveillance-may-change-the-meaning-of-being-in-public\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"20_AI_Surveillance_May_Change_the_Meaning_of_%E2%80%9CBeing_in_Public%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>20. AI Surveillance May Change the Meaning of \u201cBeing in Public\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is perhaps the most profound implication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For generations, being in public meant that other people could see you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But people generally remained anonymous to strangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Artificial intelligence changes that equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A camera can now potentially transform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>face \u2192 identity \u2192 database \u2192 history \u2192 association \u2192 investigation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional consequences of that transformation are immense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The law therefore has to recognise that <strong>visibility and identifiability are not the same thing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A citizen may reasonably expect that walking through a public place does not automatically create a permanent government-indexed record of every association and movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-21-the-police-also-have-constitutional-duties\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"21_The_Police_Also_Have_Constitutional_Duties\"><\/span>21. The Police Also Have Constitutional Duties<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would be incorrect to portray the matter as a simple conflict between police and protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police have a difficult responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a large demonstration, officers must simultaneously protect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>peaceful protesters;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>members of the public;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>public property;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>government buildings;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>traffic;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>police personnel;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>persons potentially targeted by violence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If serious violence takes place, the police must investigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If wanted criminals enter a crowd, the police cannot simply ignore them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Facial recognition may therefore have legitimate utility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The constitutional challenge is to ensure that <strong>legitimate policing does not become disproportionate surveillance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is the essence of constitutional governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-22-the-difference-between-investigation-and-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"22_The_Difference_Between_Investigation_and_Surveillance\"><\/span>22. The Difference Between Investigation and Surveillance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A useful legal distinction may emerge from this controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-investigation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Investigation\"><\/span>Investigation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An offence has occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police possess evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They analyse CCTV footage to identify a suspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Surveillance\"><\/span>Surveillance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police continuously collect information about people without a specific offence being attributed to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The distinction is not always absolute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it is constitutionally relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more an exercise moves from post-offence investigation toward continuous monitoring of an entire population or assembly, the greater the need for statutory safeguards and proportionality review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-23-facial-recognition-should-never-become-a-substitute-for-evidence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"23_Facial_Recognition_Should_Never_Become_a_Substitute_for_Evidence\"><\/span>23. Facial Recognition Should Never Become a Substitute for Evidence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This principle should be firmly established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A facial-recognition result may provide an investigative lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It should not automatically establish:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>presence at the scene;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>participation in violence;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>membership of a group;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>criminal conspiracy;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>guilt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prosecution must still establish the legally relevant facts through admissible evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technology should assist the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It should not replace the judicial process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-24-the-presumption-of-innocence-must-survive-the-algorithm\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"24_The_Presumption_of_Innocence_Must_Survive_the_Algorithm\"><\/span>24. The Presumption of Innocence Must Survive the Algorithm<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a psychological danger in algorithmic policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humans tend to give machines an appearance of objectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If an officer says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think this is the person,\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We instinctively understand that the officer may be mistaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a computer says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c98% match,\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People may instinctively regard the conclusion as a scientific fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But an algorithm is only as reliable as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>its training;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its database;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its image quality;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its threshold;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its design;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its operating conditions;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>its validation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, an algorithmic output must remain subject to human scrutiny and legal proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-25-what-the-supreme-court-could-potentially-examine\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"25_What_the_Supreme_Court_Could_Potentially_Examine\"><\/span>25. What the Supreme Court Could Potentially Examine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pending constitutional controversy could eventually require the Court to consider a series of questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-a-legal-authority\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Legal_authority\"><\/span>A. Legal authority<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Does existing law sufficiently authorise police facial recognition at protests?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-b-privacy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"B_Privacy\"><\/span>B. Privacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Does such identification constitute an interference with informational privacy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-c-article-19\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"C_Article_19\"><\/span>C. Article 19<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can widespread identification of protesters chill freedom of speech and peaceful assembly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-d-proportionality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"D_Proportionality\"><\/span>D. Proportionality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is the surveillance narrowly tailored to a legitimate objective?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-e-data-retention\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"E_Data_retention\"><\/span>E. Data retention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens to information concerning innocent citizens?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-f-accuracy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"F_Accuracy\"><\/span>F. Accuracy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What safeguards exist against false positives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-g-accountability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"G_Accountability\"><\/span>G. Accountability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who supervises the technology?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-h-transparency\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"H_Transparency\"><\/span>H. Transparency<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can courts independently verify how the system operates?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-i-function-creep\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_Function_creep\"><\/span>I. Function creep<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can information collected for crime prevention later be used for unrelated purposes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-j-remedy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"J_Remedy\"><\/span>J. Remedy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens when an innocent citizen is wrongly identified?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These questions could ultimately shape the future of AI-assisted policing throughout India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-26-my-legal-assessment\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"26_My_Legal_Assessment\"><\/span>26. My Legal Assessment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With more than 25 years of practice before the Supreme Court, I would approach the issue neither from a technology-hostile position nor from an unquestioning pro-police position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both extremes would be legally unsatisfactory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police have a legitimate constitutional responsibility to prevent crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, citizens have a legitimate constitutional expectation that the State will not unnecessarily convert their lawful exercise of fundamental freedoms into a permanent biometric record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, the correct constitutional approach should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Targeted policing, not indiscriminate surveillance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the Delhi Police can demonstrate that the system was genuinely limited to identifying persons already lawfully wanted or otherwise falling within a narrowly defined category, that will materially strengthen its constitutional defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the State should also demonstrate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the statutory basis;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the operational safeguards;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the exact database used;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the categories searched;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the retention policy;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the deletion mechanism;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the accuracy safeguards;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the human verification process;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the restrictions on further use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is how constitutional policing should operate in the age of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-27-the-larger-principle-technology-must-remain-under-the-constitution\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"27_The_Larger_Principle_Technology_Must_Remain_Under_the_Constitution\"><\/span>27. The Larger Principle: Technology Must Remain Under the Constitution<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Constitution does not become technologically obsolete merely because policing becomes technologically sophisticated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 21 applies to the digital State just as it applies to the traditional State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 19 applies when citizens communicate through modern technology just as it applies when they gather in a public square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 14 applies to algorithmic decision-making just as it applies to decisions made by human officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The central constitutional principle remains unchanged:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Government power must remain accountable to law.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technology may change the method of exercising state power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It cannot eliminate constitutional limitations on that power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 id=\"h-28-conclusion-the-face-of-democracy-must-not-become-a-police-database\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"28_Conclusion_The_Face_of_Democracy_Must_Not_Become_a_Police_Database\"><\/span>28. Conclusion: The Face of Democracy Must Not Become a Police Database<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Delhi Police&#8217;s latest position before the Supreme Court is important because it narrows the factual controversy: the police says its facial-recognition system was directed at persons with criminal records rather than indiscriminately targeting peaceful protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the constitutional debate is far from over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indeed, the more sophisticated the technology becomes, the more sophisticated the constitutional safeguards must become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India does not have to choose between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>public safety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>privacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mature constitutional democracy must protect both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police should have the technological tools necessary to investigate serious crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But citizens should also retain the freedom to attend a peaceful demonstration without fearing that their faces will automatically be converted into permanent government intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court&#8217;s decision in <em>Puttaswamy<\/em> gives us the constitutional compass: <strong>legality, legitimate purpose, necessity, proportionality and safeguards.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The jurisprudence concerning peaceful protest gives us another essential principle: fundamental freedoms cannot be extinguished merely because their exercise creates administrative inconvenience. <em>Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan<\/em> makes clear that the rights of protesters and competing public interests must be balanced rather than allowing one to completely extinguish the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The challenge before the constitutional courts, therefore, is not to decide whether India should use artificial intelligence in policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The real challenge is more fundamental:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can India become a technologically advanced surveillance state while remaining a constitutionally limited state?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is the question which makes the Delhi Police facial-recognition controversy much bigger than the present protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It concerns the future relationship between <strong>technology, privacy, police power and democratic dissent in India.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And, in my view, that is why this controversy deserves the closest constitutional scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-key-legal-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Legal_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Legal Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Issue<\/th><th>Constitutional Significance<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Facial recognition at protests<\/td><td>Potential intrusion into informational privacy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Article 21<\/td><td>Protects privacy, dignity and personal liberty<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Article 19(1)(a)<\/td><td>Protects speech and expression<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Article 19(1)(b)<\/td><td>Protects peaceful assembly<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Article 14<\/td><td>Requires fairness and protection against arbitrary state action<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Puttaswamy<\/em><\/td><td>Establishes a constitutional privacy framework<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan<\/em><\/td><td>Recognises peaceful protest while permitting reasonable regulation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Facial-match result<\/td><td>Should be treated as investigative intelligence, not automatic proof of guilt<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Criminal database<\/td><td>Must distinguish conviction from accusation, arrest or pending proceedings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Data retention<\/td><td>Requires clear safeguards, purpose limitation and deletion rules<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AI surveillance<\/td><td>Requires transparency, accountability and proportionality<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Future significance<\/td><td>May influence police use of facial recognition across India<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-important-clarification\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_Clarification\"><\/span>Important Clarification<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of <strong>18 August 2026<\/strong>, the reported development is a <strong>Delhi Police affidavit\/counter-affidavit and an ongoing constitutional challenge<\/strong>, not a final Supreme Court judgement declaring facial-recognition surveillance at protests constitutional or unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the challenge to facial recognition and biometric surveillance at protest sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction is legally important. The ultimate constitutional position will depend upon the Supreme Court&#8217;s adjudication of the factual and legal issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-need-legal-guidance-on-privacy-facial-recognition-or-police-surveillance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Need_Legal_Guidance_on_Privacy_Facial_Recognition_or_Police_Surveillance\"><\/span>Need Legal Guidance on Privacy, Facial Recognition or Police Surveillance?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The growing use of <strong>facial-recognition technology, AI-powered surveillance and biometric identification by law-enforcement agencies<\/strong> raises complex questions involving <strong>Article 14, Article 19, Article 21, the Right to Privacy, the Right to Protest and constitutional safeguards<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need professional legal guidance concerning <strong>police surveillance, facial-recognition technology, privacy rights, constitutional remedies, unlawful surveillance or protection of fundamental rights<\/strong>, consult an experienced Supreme Court Advocate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-adv-tarun-choudhury\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adv_Tarun_Choudhury\"><\/span>Adv. Tarun Choudhury<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supreme Court Advocate | 25+ Years of Legal Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udcde <strong>Call:<\/strong> <strong>9650499965<\/strong><br>\ud83d\udcac <strong>WhatsApp:<\/strong> <strong>8851978611<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For legal consultation and case-specific guidance, contact Adv. Tarun Choudhury.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. What are the pleas against police action during CJP student protests?<\/strong><br>The <strong>Pleas Against Police Action During CJP Student Protests<\/strong> are petitions before the Supreme Court challenging alleged police excesses during student demonstrations, including allegations of lathi-charge, excessive force, detention, assault and the alleged use of pellet guns. The petitions raise important issues concerning the <strong>right to protest, police powers, fundamental rights and police accountability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. What fundamental rights are involved in the CJP student protest case?<\/strong><br>The <strong>CJP student protest case<\/strong> primarily involves <strong>Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India<\/strong>. Article 19 protects freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, while Article 21 protects life, personal liberty and dignity. The Supreme Court is examining whether restrictions and police action during the protests were lawful, necessary and proportionate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Did the Supreme Court order an inquiry into police action during the CJP student protests?<\/strong><br>The Supreme Court has indicated movement towards a <strong>high-powered inquiry or committee<\/strong> to examine allegations of police excesses during the CJP student protests. The proposed inquiry is expected to examine the allegations, available evidence and issues relating to police accountability. The final composition and terms of reference of the committee remain subject to the court&#8217;s formal orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. What is the Supreme Court&#8217;s position on the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters?<\/strong><br>The alleged <strong>use of pellet guns against student protesters<\/strong> has become a significant issue before the Supreme Court. The Court has indicated that it may lay down safeguards or a protocol governing the use of pellet guns and other potentially harmful crowd-control measures. The central constitutional question is whether such force was <strong>necessary, lawful and proportionate<\/strong> in the circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Why is the Supreme Court case on CJP student protests legally significant?<\/strong><br>The case is legally significant because it could establish important principles concerning the <strong>right to peaceful protest, police use of force, Article 21, police accountability, independent investigation and crowd-control procedures in India<\/strong>. Any broader directions issued by the Supreme Court could influence how police authorities handle future student protests and other public demonstrations across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pleas Against Police Action During CJP Student Protests<\/strong> raise important constitutional questions concerning the <strong>right to peaceful protest, police powers, fundamental rights and accountability<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Supreme Court of India<\/strong> is examining allegations of <strong>police excesses against student protesters<\/strong>, including allegations of lathi-charge, assault, detention, excessive force and the use of pellet guns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The proceedings directly involve <strong>Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India<\/strong>, particularly the rights to equality, freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, life, personal liberty and dignity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Supreme Court has indicated movement towards a <strong>high-powered inquiry\/committee<\/strong> to independently examine allegations concerning police action during the protests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The alleged <strong>use of pellet guns against student protesters<\/strong> is one of the most significant issues before the Supreme Court and raises questions about the legality, necessity and proportionality of such crowd-control measures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The case highlights an important constitutional principle: <strong>police powers are necessary to maintain public order but are not unlimited<\/strong> and must remain within the boundaries of law and the Constitution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any use of force by police during a protest should satisfy the principles of <strong>legality, necessity and proportionality<\/strong>, particularly where demonstrators are peaceful or have already been brought under police control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Supreme Court proceedings also emphasise the importance of preserving <strong>CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage, wireless communications, medical records and other digital evidence<\/strong> for an effective investigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An <strong>independent investigation into alleged police brutality<\/strong> can protect both protesters and police officers by ensuring that genuine violations are established while false or exaggerated allegations are fairly rejected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The case reinforces that the <strong>right to protest does not include a right to violence<\/strong>, but the existence of a public-order concern also does not give police unrestricted authority to use excessive force.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The proceedings may ultimately lead to clearer <strong>national guidelines for police handling of student protests and public demonstrations<\/strong>, including safeguards concerning crowd dispersal, weapons, identification of police personnel, medical assistance and accountability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The protection of <strong>students, minors, women protesters and other vulnerable participants<\/strong> remains an important aspect of constitutional policing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Supreme Court&#8217;s approach demonstrates that <strong>democratic dissent and public order must coexist<\/strong>. The constitutional objective is neither to favour protesters nor to weaken the police, but to ensure that both operate within the rule of law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Pleas Against Police Action During CJP Student Protests<\/strong> could therefore have significance beyond the immediate controversy and influence future cases involving <strong>police brutality, protest rights, use of force and constitutional accountability in India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/facial-recognition-technology-at-protest-sites-supreme-court-ai-surveillance-india\/\">Facial Recognition Technology at Protest Sites: Supreme Court to Examine AI Surveillance, Privacy &amp; Protest Rights<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/algorithmic-bias-and-constitutional-equality-a-legal-perspective-on-artificial-intelligence\/\">Algorithmic Bias and Constitutional Equality: A Legal Perspective on Artificial Intelligence<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/does-protest-lead-to-legal-and-constitutional-change-historical-examples-constitutional-analysis-global-lessons\/\">Does Protest Lead to Legal and Constitutional Change? Historical Examples, Constitutional Analysis &amp; Global Lessons<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/artificial-intelligence-criminal-investigation-india-eu-laws\/\">Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Investigation: Legal, Ethical &amp; Privacy Challenges in India and the EU<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/student-protest-violence-supreme-court-hearing-right-to-protest-police-accountability\/\">Student Protest Violence Supreme Court Hearing: Right to Protest, Police Accountability &amp; FIR Clarification<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Delhi Police\u2019s Facial Recognition Tool Only Captures Persons Having Criminal Records at Protests: A Constitutional Privacy Question in the Age of AI Surveillance Introduction: When a Protester\u2019s Face Becomes Police Data A particularly important constitutional issue has now emerged before the Supreme Court of India: how far can the police go in using facial-recognition technology<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30604,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[775,28],"class_list":["post-30603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-constitutional-law","tag-constitutional-law","tag-top-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - 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