Hungarian Helsinki Committee had aimed to challenge the unlawful use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by Hungarian law enforcement. This was a response to the growing use of FRT in 2025 to monitor participants in public demonstrations—such as Pride events—and potentially identify and fine them.
Since the change of government in April 2026, use of FRT has ended, the Budapest police reversed its ban on Budapest Pride and Parliament approved an amendment to remove anti-LGBTI provisions from the child protection law that had been used as a justification for the crackdown in 2025.
Facial recognition surveillance of public gatherings
Organisation Name
Hungarian Helsinki Committee
Country/Jurisdiction
Hungary
Grant Amount
EUR 1,481
Current Status
Complete – goals achieved before litigation needed
Image credit: Image by Ivan Stanivukovic on Unsplash
Grant type
Litigation Track Support
Description
Hungarian Helsinki Committee had aimed to challenge the unlawful use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by Hungarian law enforcement. This was a response to the growing use of FRT in 2025 to monitor participants in public demonstrations—such as Pride events—and potentially identify and fine them.
Since the change of government in April 2026, use of FRT has ended, the Budapest police reversed its ban on Budapest Pride and Parliament approved an amendment to remove anti-LGBTI provisions from the child protection law that had been used as a justification for the crackdown in 2025.
Hungarian Helsinki Committee decided that the legal action they had originally planned was no longer necessary. However, along with other civil society actors they continue to push for further amendments to the law to reduce the potential for FRT to be used in the future.
"Since the change of government in April 2026, use of FRT has ended, the Budapest police reversed its ban on Budapest Pride"
Strategic Goals
To establish a precedent restricting the use of AI-driven facial recognition for minor offences, thereby enhancing protection against unjustified government surveillance.