France Weighs Facial Recognition to Combat Drug Trade

France's Drug Problem Spurs Debate Over Facial Recognition Technology France is grappling with a rise in drug trafficking and consumption, leading to a heated debate over the use of facial recognition technology. On May 23, 2025, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin suggested integrating facial recognition into surveillance systems as a key tool to combat the problem. "You will see, in 5 or 10 years, we will be doing facial recognition," Darmanin stated on RTL. This proposal is part of a broader legislative effort to address the issue, which has seen a significant increase in drug-related incidents across the country. However, the suggestion has sparked concerns about privacy violations and potential misuse of the technology. The video also highlights a recent bill passed to help reduce the drug trade in France. The debate continues as France weighs the benefits of enhanced security against the potential infringement on civil liberties.