Germany, Federal
Bundespolizei (German Federal Police)
Retrograde video and image search software with a facial recognition function
OperationalParliamentary recordPAI-A2EC486F
- Body
- Bundespolizei (German Federal Police)
- Country
- Germany
- Area
- Federal
- Technology
- Retrograde video and image search software with a facial recognition function
- Supplier
- Not stated in the source
- Status
- Operational
In routine use by the named body, on the evidence of a public source. - Stage
- In use now
- Since
- Not known
- Legal basis
- Not stated in the source
- Oversight
- Federal Data Protection Commissioner (BfDI) consulted on many applications at the BKA and Bundespolizei between 2020 and 2025; candidate matches go to a human examiner.
- Evidence
- Parliamentary record
Hansard, committee evidence, written answers - Source
- Deutscher Bundestag, Drucksache 21/3960 (2 February 2026)
- Last checked
- Record code
PAI-A2EC486F
Notes
The Federal Government's answer of 30 January 2026 to an AfD minor interpellation (Drucksache 21/3696 asked, 21/3960 answered) states that the BKA and the Bundespolizei use software for retrograde search of large existing video and image files by parameters such as vehicles, colours, objects, text and logos, used only for prosecuting serious crimes and including a biometric facial recognition function. The government says it saves about two thirds of analysis time compared with manual review, takes no automated decisions and presents candidate matches to a human examiner. The product name, vendor and start date are not given. The answer says the BKA and Bundespolizei use no systems prohibited under the EU AI Act, that the government cannot yet say whether any system is high-risk, and that the Federal Data Protection Commissioner was consulted on many applications between 2020 and 2025 and that no formal complaints concerning AI applications were issued for the Interior Ministry's area in that period. This software is distinct from the BKA facial recognition system (GES), which has its own records.
Other systems used by Bundespolizei (German Federal Police)
| Deployment | Country | Supplier | Since | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundespolizei (German Federal Police)Facial recognition searches in the BKA GES system | GermanyFederal | — | — | Operational | |
| Bundespolizei (German Federal Police)Automated number plate recognition cameras | GermanyFederal | — | — | Operational |
Retrograde video and image search software with a facial recognition function elsewhere in Germany
See them in the tracker| Deployment | Country | Supplier | Since | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundeskriminalamt (German Federal Criminal Police Office)Retrograde video and image search software with a facial recognition function | GermanyFederal | — | — | Operational |