The Minister of State for Coordination of Law Enforcement Bodies, Mamuka Mdinaradze, says the government will try to install facial recognition cameras across Georgia as part of crime prevention and public security measures.
“We will try to install facial recognition cameras not only on Rustaveli Avenue and in central districts, but throughout the country, based on security measures, including crime prevention,” Mdinaradze said.
He made the comments in response to a question about an investigation by AlgorithmWatch, which alleged that the ruling ‘Georgian Dream’ party has used a Russian facial recognition system to identify citizens.
Mdinaradze dismissed claims that Georgian citizens’ personal data could be accessed by Russia’s security services through the system, calling the allegations “ridiculous.”
He also stated that no surveillance technology has been purchased from Russia since he took up his current position. However, AlgorithmWatch reported that Georgia first procured the technology from Russia in 2013.
The investigation was later reviewed by the ‘Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association’ (GYLA/SAIA), which argued that the use of facial recognition technology during protests raises serious human rights concerns.
The organization stated that the ruling party has increasingly relied on such surveillance technologies during anti-government demonstrations since late 2024. It argued that, without sufficient transparency about the systems’ capabilities and adequate legal safeguards, their use against peaceful protesters could discourage the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly.
SAIA added that the June 27 investigation by AlgorithmWatch deepens concerns over the technology’s use and raises further questions about the protection of citizens’ rights and personal data.
