A simmering dispute has erupted within Germany’s center-right-left coalition government concerning the security implications arising from a recently launched debate over urban spaces, spearheaded by CDU leader Friedrich Merz. The disagreement centers on the potential expansion of surveillance technologies, specifically the deployment of facial recognition software powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and highlights a growing rift over the balance between security concerns and civil liberties.
Alexander Throm, the CDU’s spokesperson for interior policy in the Bundestag, is advocating for increased video surveillance incorporating automated data analysis. Speaking to the Handelsblatt newspaper, Throm asserted that such measures are “necessary in many places” to effectively prevent and solve crimes. He further stated that while responsibility for implementing such systems outside of railway stations lies with the individual states, data protection regulations should no longer serve as a barrier to their adoption. Crucially, he urged data protection advocates to abandon their “outdated concerns” regarding the use of AI-driven technologies.
The proposition has drawn sharp criticism from Sebastian Fiedler, an SPD interior policy expert. Fiedler accused the CDU of exploiting the urban space debate, “in a perfidious way” by linking it to the pursuit of potential terrorists. He cautioned that the EU’s AI Act fundamentally prohibits biometric facial recognition, allowing exceptions only in situations involving imminent, specific danger. This, he argued, narrows the permissible scope considerably.
Instead of expanding surveillance, Fiedler proposes an alternative approach to enhance security: redirecting personnel currently involved in internal border controls back to railway stations and public spaces. He implicitly questions the coalition’s overall security strategy, suggesting a reallocation of resources might prove more effective than embracing potentially intrusive technologies.
The clash signals a deeper disagreement within the governing coalition regarding the appropriate response to concerns about public safety and underscores the difficult political terrain surrounding the implementation of AI-powered surveillance in Europe. The debate is likely to intensify as lawmakers grapple with the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of facial recognition technology and its impact on fundamental rights.