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French National Assembly Approves Trial of Algorithmic Retail CCTV Through 2027

The proposal now moves to the Senate, with detailed rules to be set by decree before any rollout.

Overview

  • Deputies passed the single-article bill in a first-reading vote of 60–13, backed by Renaissance, LR, Horizons and the RN, with MoDem abstaining.
  • The experiment would allow real-time algorithmic analysis of store cameras to flag predefined theft-related behaviors and alert staff.
  • Safeguards include a ban on facial recognition and other biometric processing, mandatory public notice, live use only, and a rule that algorithmic alerts cannot alone justify prosecution; prefectural authorization would be required.
  • An amendment shortened the trial’s end date to 31 December 2027, aligning it with other temporary surveillance authorizations tied to recent major events.
  • The government signaled support with legal cautions, left-wing and Green lawmakers warned of civil-liberties risks, and decrees are expected to define which behaviors can be flagged and who may access alerts after training, following input from CNIL and the Conseil d’État.