Swedish police tested facial recognition software to see if it could screen and match individuals caught on video surveillance.

And they did so without first seeking consent from the Swedish Data Protection Authority.

Swedish Radio News reports that police used facial recognition software during what’s been dubbed "Operation Rimfrost", an initiative rolled out late last year that ends on Friday in Malmö, Stockhlolm and Uppsala to crackdown on gang-related crime.

Facial recognition technology processes and can possibly include sensitive personal data.

That’s why the Data Inspectorate monitors its use by the police to make sure it doesn’t violate data protection regulations.

But this time, Swedish Radio News reports, the police didn’t contact the agency.

Source: Swedish Radio