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In a decisive move that underscores Europe’s growing scrutiny of biometric surveillance, Italy’s data protection authority—the Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali—has ordered the temporary suspension of facial recognition systems at Milan Linate Airport, citing insufficient safeguards and potential violations of privacy law. The decision comes amid rising public concern over the use of AI-powered identification technologies in public infrastructure.
🔍 What Was Being Tested?
The suspended system was part of a pilot program designed to:
Streamline passenger boarding through biometric gates
Reduce wait times by matching faces to digital boarding passes
Enhance security by cross-referencing with watchlists and travel databases
Developed in partnership with a European tech consortium, the system used real-time facial mapping, AI-based identity verification, and cloud-based data storage. It was deployed in select terminals for passengers flying within the Schengen zone.
⚖️ Why the Garante Stepped In
The Garante cited several critical issues:
Lack of transparency: Passengers were not adequately informed about how their biometric data would be used, stored, or shared.
Consent ambiguity: Opt-out mechanisms were unclear, and some passengers may have been scanned without explicit consent.
Data retention risks: The system lacked clear protocols for how long facial data would be stored and who could access it.
Third-party exposure: Concerns were raised about potential sharing of biometric data with non-EU entities, including cloud providers and analytics firms.
The watchdog emphasized that biometric data is among the most sensitive categories of personal information, and its use must meet the highest standards of necessity, proportionality, and security.
🧠 Broader Implications for Tech and Travel
This suspension is part of a larger European trend toward AI accountability and biometric ethics. Similar investigations are underway in France, Germany, and Spain, where facial recognition is being tested in train stations, stadiums, and border crossings.
For Italy, the decision reflects a balancing act between technological modernization and constitutional privacy rights. While airports seek efficiency and security, regulators are demanding human-centric safeguards and algorithmic transparency.
✈️ What Happens Next?
SEA Milan Airports, the operator of Linate, has pledged to cooperate fully with the Garante and revise its protocols. The system may be reinstated if:
Passenger consent mechanisms are clarified
Data minimization principles are enforced
Independent audits confirm compliance with GDPR and national law
In the meantime, traditional boarding procedures will remain in place, and passengers are being advised to arrive early to avoid delays.