Kathmandu— The German Bundestag has approved a sweeping new federal police law that significantly expands the use of technology such as drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and increased surveillance capabilities. The legislation aims to modernize policing but also raises concerns about civil liberties and privacy.

Real-Time AI Surveillance

The new Federal Police Law permits real-time facial recognition and behavior analysis in public spaces where federal police have jurisdiction, including airports, intercity railway stations, and near Germany's borders. Critics argue that this technology could lead to mass surveillance and infringe on citizens' privacy rights.

Michael Kolain, head of policy at the Berlin-based Center for Digital Rights and Democracy, warned that such measures create an infrastructure for mass surveillance, suspending anonymity in public spaces. 'These are measures we know from China, Iran, and Russia,' he said.

Drones and Surveillance Software

The law also regulates the use of drones by federal police forces, allowing them to deploy these devices at particularly busy times in train stations and near borders. Additionally, it sets out measures for dealing with unmanned aerial vehicles deemed threatening, including signal blockers and electromagnetic pulses.

Markus Thiel, professor of public law at the German Police University in Münster, explained that drones represent a higher intervention in basic rights compared to fixed cameras due to their ability to surveil from above.

Increased Powers for Immigration Enforcement

The new legislation grants federal police more authority to incarcerate immigrants who are due for deportation and conduct random searches. Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, have expressed concern that these measures could lead to racial profiling.

Julia Duchrow, general secretary of Amnesty International in Germany, stated: 'We observe a growing imbalance where policing powers increase while mechanisms for transparency and data protection do not.'

The new law is expected to face legal challenges before the German Constitutional Court, but such processes can take years. Activists argue that more scrutiny from lawmakers is needed to ensure civil rights protections are maintained.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.