Denmark Enforces Facial Recognition To Block Violent Fans

The Danish government has implemented new legislative changes that require the use of facial recognition technology to manage violence in football stadiums.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard announced a 14-point program to address hooliganism in Danish football, as per the reports. This move responds to a long-standing issue that has plagued the sport for years.

The proposal introduces facial recognition technology in the Danish Superliga, the country’s most popular football league. The technology will recognize people who are not allowed to watch matches and deny them access to the premises. The reforms also propose imposing heavy fines on violators. The reforms also allow authorities to restrict attendance and issue bans on identified hooligans.

Violence among fans in Denmark is a serious problem. Following fights and criminal activities are ongoing between fan groups that are in conflict. Facial recognition systems have already been approved to be used by clubs such as FC Copenhagen and Brondby IF. Last year, a permanent prohibition was placed on visiting supporters from attending matches between the two opposing teams due to ongoing violence.

The Justice Ministry will work with football clubs and the Danish Data Protection Authority (Datatilsynet) to follow the rules and protect people’s data. Datatilsynet has emphasized that privacy and security will be closely monitored during the implementation of facial recognition technology in the stadiums, especially at the entrance points.

This is the second anti-hooliganism legislative package introduced in Denmark in the past three years. This shows the intent of the government to restore order in football stadiums.

Facial Recognition in Football: The Global Picture

Biometrics, such as facial recognition, are gaining popularity in sports worldwide. Facial recognition is now being implemented in Italy and Spain in stadiums through the assistance of clubs and league professionals. However, there are still concerns about privacy, and some clubs have faced fines for not properly handling data. Other such attempts in South America and the UK have also led to controversy. Although these steps have contributed to curbing violence, they also pose continuous issues regarding surveillance, privacy, and data security.