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Because facial recognition is banned in Switzerland, the Federal Council writes about its decision in the announcement. The current fingerprint system called Afis of the Federal Police (Fedpol) must be renewed by 2026. The new system will be expanded with a module that makes facial recognition possible. The Federal Council has approved a commitment credit of CHF 24.61 million for the “Afis 2026” project.
The cabinet emphasizes that this is not a facial recognition system. Rather, the facial image comparison is an additional method in the biometric identification of persons and traces of a crime scene. It is used in particular when there are no fingerprints or DNA traces.
Images from social media may not be used
Specifically, analogous to a fingerprint comparison, a photo of a suspect can be compared with photos stored in Afis in the criminal process. Other sources such as passport photos or photos from social networks may not be used. In addition, images of wanted persons would not be automatically compared in real time with surveillance cameras.
According to the Federal Council, the legal basis for comparing facial images has existed since 2013. The data protection provisions are the same as for fingerprints and DNA profiles.
“Central Element of Crime Fighting”
According to reports, Fedpol processes more than 340,000 requests for identification every year – on behalf of national and international police, border and migration authorities. The automated identification of people and traces of the crime scene using fingerprints and handprints is “a central element in the fight against crime”, the Federal Council writes.
The current Afis was introduced in 2016 and is designed for a ten-year service life. So, technically and contractually, it will reach the end of its term in 2026. (SDA)
Source:Blick
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