Argentina - July 2024

The Argentine government has announced the creation of an AI-based special unit that will function under the Ministry of Security to monitor social media and the internet, aiming to "predict future crimes". The Artificial Intelligence Unit for Security will patrol open social networks, apps, websites and the “dark web” to detect potential threats, identify ongoing operations of criminal groups, and foresee disturbances. It will also analyse real-time security footage and use facial recognition in order to detect suspicious activities or identify wanted individuals. Experts and civil society organizations warn that without oversight or checks, privacy and freedom of expression are at risk. Critics argue that the system's opacity and potential for misuse pose significant risks, including unlawful profiling and lack of accountability. Further, they claim that this kind of cyber patrolling could be contrary to the rule of law and the National Constitution.

Sources:  El Pais, Pagina 12 (1), Pagina12 (2), Infobae, El destape