European parliament says it will not use facial recognition tech

The European parliament has insisted it has no plans to introduce facial recognition technology after a leaked internal memo discussing its use in security provoked an outcry. A page on the European parliament's intranet, seen by the Guardian, suggested that facial recognition could be used "in the context of biometric-based security and services to members [MEPs]". Titled "artificial intelligence for better services", the page discussed how such technologies, including facial recognition and AI-assisted translation, would have "consequences on working methods, processes, staff profiles and the contracting of services". The page on the parliament's 2019-21 "digital transformation programme" was removed on Wednesday after a prominent MEP and staff unions questioned the potential use of facial recognition in the parliament. A spokesperson for the parliament said: "There is no project of facial recognition in the European parliament," adding that it was "not foreseen at any level".