Russia's Facial Recognition Tactics to Suppress Dissent

Moscow's facial recognition video surveillance network, which includes 160,000 cameras, is being used to identify and detain Kremlin opponents, including anti-government protesters critical of President Vladimir Putin. The system is also being used as a preventive measure to stop people from protesting in the first place, according to detainees. The Moscow metro uses facial recognition for fare payment and security, with passengers photographed as they walk through gates. If the system flags a passenger for detention, police respond within seconds or minutes. The surveillance has led some activists to leave Russia, with one saying the country is "transforming into some sort of a Chinese Xinjiang filial branch."