Cameras with algorithms, multiplied investigations: the “Olympic Games” bill is submitted to the vote of deputies on Tuesday, and could garner support from the right and the far right, while the left denounces a disproportionate security component. Already widely adopted at the end of January at first reading in the Senate, dominated by the right, the text was examined last week at the Palais Bourbon and will be the subject of a solemn vote on Tuesday at the end of the day.
The most controversial article, on so-called “intelligent” video surveillance, opens the way to an experiment that would combine images taken by cameras and drones, and algorithms. The experiment will concern large-scale “sporting, recreational or cultural events”. It must end on December 31, 2024 but could begin as soon as the law is promulgated, and concern for example the next Rugby World Cup in September-October.
The presidential majority and the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin insisted on the safeguards and defended the process at will: analyzing the images to automatically detect potentially risky acts or gestures, and report them to agents behind a wall of screens so that they can send colleagues to check on the situation or intervene.
But the list of “events” and behaviors to be detected will be fixed by decree. To the great displeasure of the deputies of the left-wing Nupes alliance, who are worried about what will be retained, despite the examples given by the minister: “a start of fire, population bottlenecks, a parcel or a bag abandoned “.
Generalization?
And if the stated objective is to secure the millions of people expected for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the opposition deputies suspect the executive of wanting to use the experience as a springboard to generalize this technology of monitoring after the event.
RN MP Jordan Guitton asked the executive to stop the experiment as soon as competitions end in September 2024. His group voted on this key article, and should not oppose the whole bill, just like the LRs.
“It’s a text on the Olympics, everyone loves the Olympics, everyone loves sport, so everything passes”, sighs on the contrary the deputy LFI Ugo Bernalicis, whose group will vote against the text. He already promises a referral to the Constitutional Council.
Rebellious and environmentalists are the most hostile to the bill. There “is no reason to vote for”, assures environmentalist Sandra Regol who, beyond video surveillance, deplores measures that could apply to environmental activists.
In his line of sight in particular: provisions which will continue after the Games, such as the strengthening of sanctions in the event of intrusion into a sports arena.
“Screens” and genetic tests
Like others on the left, she also deplores the extension of the field of “screening”, that is to say the conduct of administrative inquiries on people. Participants as well as accredited persons on competition sites and fan-zones may be targeted. The measure is disproportionate for the left, although fans will not be affected. A mandatory stadium ban penalty in the event of a serious breach of the security of sporting events will also be created.
Socialists and Communists, torn between the needs of the Olympics and concerns about security measures, will decide on their voting position Tuesday morning in a group meeting. A health center in the future Olympic and Paralympic village in Saint-Denis will be built, a more consensual measure even if the opposition deplores that the structure does not survive the Olympics, in a department lacking caregivers.
The text also provides for measures derogating from the rules of Sunday rest, and support systems for the transport of spectators with disabilities. Genetic tests will also strengthen the anti-doping arsenal of the authorities, despite the demands of the opposition to limit them to the Olympics.
“We must comply and this in a sustainable way”, insisted the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. fter its adoption, deputies and senators will try to reach an agreement on the text in a joint committee.
