Facial Recognition Technology Preventing Frauds in RIO Vans in 2025

Rio de Janeiro is changing the travel system for passengers with the usage of facial recognition technology in the vanpool services. The new system will start in January 2025 and its main purpose is to secure passengers from fraud while using transportation advantages. Detro-RJ, an agency that works under the State Secretariat of Transport and Urban Mobility has introduced this measurement. It will be slowly executed in various expeditions and is anticipated to be completed by October 2025. 

As stated earlier, the main purpose of this step is to provide discounted transport advantages and group segregation, for instance, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities are using the services correctly. Some fraudulent activities, such as the wrong use of transport cards by illegal people were a major challenge that minimized the systems’ honesty. 

Furthermore, Transport Secretary Washington Reis highlights this technological essence while stating, “This type of technology brings more efficiency to the transport operation and is essential to combat the irregular use of benefits. We want passengers to travel with greater safety and peace of mind, enjoying the discounts provided by the government.”

Facial Recognition Changing Rio

Face recognition in the travel industry in Rio de Janeiro will check the passengers’ identities by contrasting their facial features with their transport cards. This process will ensure that only legal people receive the discounts. However, the exploitation of benefits can be the cause of transport benefits’ suspension. The initiative, which draws on a 2016 decree requiring biometric controls for electronic ticketing, will also protect the data of passengers, with its transfer or commercialization being banned without consent.

Despite such securities, facial recognition systems will still be in controversy in Brazi alongside the activist group that raised privacy concerns and possible misuse of tracking systems. Besides, critics argue that such systems can invade personal privacy and misuse data without any better regulations. But the government on the other side, assures that the technique will work smoothly after the proper implementation. It also claims that all this must be done without interrupting the transport operations and utilizing technology to check fraud and enhance the public transport system while safeguarding data.