Activists condemn AI surveillance at CJP protest

Activists in India have challenged the Narendra Modi government over the use of AI-powered surveillance during the anti-CJP protests.

Controversy arose when protesters and media reports showed a police surveillance van equipped with cameras mounted on a telescopic mast providing a 360-degree view of the gathering.

Student activist Aishi Ghosh has asked the Delhi High Court to declare mass surveillance of protesters as unconstitutional.

She also wants the court to order the destruction of all personal data collected during the CJP protest.

Activists say there is no law in India governing the use of facial recognition technology by police and surveillance at the main protest site in New Delhi is a violation of the law.

During the hearing of the case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended Indian police conduct, saying that claims of secrecy at a public gathering were “ironic” and that the checks were “absolutely necessary” and “in the legitimate state interest”.