Greece’s Data Protection Authority Rules €4 Million AI Smart Policing System Unlawful
Greece’s data protection authority has ruled the country’s €4 million Smart Policing programme unlawful, dealing a blow to a system that deployed artificial intelligence and facial recognition technologies across the Hellenic Police force. The decision, announced Tuesday, follows years of complaints from privacy advocates who said the programme violated European data protection standards.
The Smart Policing programme, funded with €4 million in public money, enabled the Hellenic Police to use AI-driven tools including facial recognition software for law enforcement purposes. Greece’s independent data protection authority concluded that the system did not comply with legal requirements, though the specific legal grounds for the ruling have not been detailed in public summaries.
Privacy Group’s Long Campaign
The ruling confirmed long-standing concerns raised by EDRi member Homo Digitalis, a Greek digital rights organization that had flagged facial recognition and data protection violations in the programme. “The decision confirmed long-standing concerns raised by EDRi member Homo Digitalis about facial recognition and data protection violations,” the European Digital Rights group said in a statement.
Homo Digitalis had argued that the Smart Policing system lacked adequate safeguards for citizens’ privacy and that its deployment by the Hellenic Police failed to meet the strict requirements of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. The group’s advocacy included formal complaints and public campaigns highlighting the risks of mass surveillance technologies in policing.
Programme Scope and Spending
The €4 million Smart Policing initiative was designed to modernize law enforcement through AI analytics, video surveillance integration, and automated facial recognition capabilities. The Hellenic Police had deployed the system in multiple locations, though the exact number of cameras and the geographic reach of the programme have not been disclosed.
The spending on the programme represents a significant investment in digital policing infrastructure for Greece, a country that has faced repeated scrutiny over data protection practices. The European Commission has previously warned member states about the need to balance security technologies with fundamental privacy rights.
Legal and Procedural Next Steps
The data protection authority’s ruling effectively halts the use of the Smart Policing system in its current form. The Hellenic Police must now either dismantle the programme or redesign it to comply with legal standards, a process that requires new legislation or regulatory approvals.
The decision sets a precedent for other European countries considering similar AI-powered policing tools. Privacy advocates across the bloc have increasingly challenged facial recognition systems, arguing they pose disproportionate risks to civil liberties. The Greek ruling adds to a growing body of case law in Europe that restricts the use of AI in law enforcement without explicit legal authorization and robust oversight mechanisms.
The Hellenic Police have not publicly commented on the ruling or indicated whether they plan to appeal the decision. The data protection authority’s full reasoning is scheduled for publication in the coming weeks, which will clarify the specific violations identified and the timeline for compliance.