Surveillance Footage Analysis: Karner's Unfathomable Intentions Baffle Neos
Austria's Neos Party Questions Expansion of Video Surveillance
The Neos party in Austria has raised concerns over the proposed expansion of video surveillance by the Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner. The party questions the necessity and legality of the new decree, which they deem as "unprecedentedly excessive" and lacking concrete justification and scientific evidence.
The Neos argue that the decree, which was introduced during the summer recess of the National Council, bypasses the parliamentary debate and proper evidence-based decision-making. They contend that each case of video surveillance requires an individual proportionality test, rather than a broad expansion by ministerial decree.
Privacy experts and NGOs share similar concerns, particularly regarding the lack of a clear legal basis and adequate data protection framework, especially for AI-supported facial recognition.
The Neos, a coalition partner, have been critical of video surveillance expansions in the past but have not objected to Karner's announcement. However, they find the motivation for the decree puzzling, as stated by Nikolaus Scherak, deputy club chairman.
The new decree will apply to places where there are indications of future dangerous attacks or recognizable criminal structures. Currently, video surveillance is present at 20 public locations in Austria, including Reumannplatz in Vienna. The rules for this extension will be set by a new decree from the Ministry of the Interior (BMI).
Maximilian Köllner, SPO's security spokesman, supports the measure and expects authorities to work closely with cities and municipalities. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, on the other hand, wants to extend video surveillance to a large number of places.
It is important to note that the new decree does not require approval from the SPO and Neos, as it is a decree. Karner's decree regarding the extension of video surveillance was shared with the SPO and Neos in advance.
The Neos, in their view, will closely monitor the implementation of the new regulation regarding video surveillance, ensuring that it adheres to the principles of legality, privacy rights, proportionality, and proper parliamentary debate.
Despite the concerns raised by the Neos, the Interior Minister has not commented further on the matter. The debate on the expansion of video surveillance in Austria continues, with privacy advocates urging for a more cautious and evidence-based approach.
- The Neos party, in light of the proposed expansion of video surveillance, has questioned the necessity and legality of the new decree from Austria's Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, stating that it lacks clear justification and scientific support.
- Expressing concerns shared by privacy experts and NGOs, the Neos argue that each case of video surveillance should undergo an individual proportionality test, rather than a broad expansion by ministerial decree, particularly given the lack of a clear legal basis and adequate data protection framework for AI-supported facial recognition.
