Abstract
In the digital era, biometric technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning have become essential for law enforcement, enabling rapid and accurate suspect identification while enhancing investigative efficiency. These technologies offer significant benefits, including crime reduction, minimization of human errors, and resource optimization. However, their use raises major challenges related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethics of surveillance. European regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), impose strict restrictions on biometric data processing to prevent misuse and excessive surveillance. According to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) recommendations, the use of facial recognition in public spaces must be justified and limited to exceptional situations. Although biometric technologies can significantly improve public safety, risks associated with algorithmic bias, which may lead to discrimination, as well as the potential misuse of collected data, remain pressing concerns. Therefore, their implementation must be transparent, ethical, and compliant with existing legislation. For the responsible use of these technologies, strict data protection measures, continuous monitoring and auditing of biometric systems, and the development of fairer algorithms are recommended. This approach ensures a balance between the operational efficiency of law enforcement agencies and the protection of fundamental rights of citizens.
