Government Speeds Up Facial Recognition Decree, Sparking Opposition Outrage

The Italian government has accelerated the process of adapting national legislation to European rules regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence and facial recognition by police forces. The move has sparked controversy and protests from opposition parties, who argue that it is a dangerous overreach that could lead to a 'Big Brother' state. The decree allows for the use of AI-powered surveillance systems to identify suspects after a crime has been committed, with local recordings limited to seven days and unalterable digital records maintained for five years. The opposition criticizes the lack of clarity on data management and storage, as well as the potential contradiction with European AI law.