Delhi Police Faces Questions on Facial Recognition System Details

The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has filed a Right to Information (RTI) request with the Delhi Police seeking details about the deployment of live CCTV vans and facial recognition technology during student-led protests at Jantar Mantar in July 2026. While the police acknowledged using surveillance vans, their response failed to provide information on safeguards, databases, or privacy protocols related to facial recognition.

Delhi Police has denied using the "Ikshana" surveillance vans, despite their public sightings. IFF did not receive any tender documents or contracts for these vehicles. The police's standing order, obtained through the RTI, mentions "real-time city-wide surveillance" and "predictive policing tools," but does not specify what these tools are or which databases they utilize.

Crucial questions remain unanswered: What databases are used for identification? What safeguards and thresholds exist to prevent misuse? What are the data retention policies and privacy protection guidelines? Are there accuracy audits or privacy impact assessments? The legal basis for the operational procedures, particularly concerning sensitive data handling, is also unclear.

CP PLUS, a technology firm, has stated that it designed the "Ikshana" prototype for Delhi Police. The vehicle is reportedly equipped with AI-powered cameras, including Automatic Number-Plate Recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition capabilities. Similar RTI requests concerning police use of smart glasses have also yielded no information on procurement or approval processes.

The lack of transparency regarding the governance and safeguards of these advanced surveillance systems raises concerns. IFF highlights that existing legal frameworks may not adequately address such intrusions into privacy, emphasizing the need for clear authorization and oversight.