THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT'S USE OF FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Year 2025, Issue: Kolluk Uygulamaları ve Güvenlik Teknolojileri Özel Sayısı, 184 - 204, 27.10.2025

Müslüm Kayacı

Abstract

The purpose of this conceptual study is to comprehensively examine the ethical issues arising from the use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based security applications by law enforcement agencies. Without disregarding the opportunities offered by technological tools in ensuring public security and preventing crime, this study aims to discuss these tools' relationship with ethical concerns such as individual privacy, the risk of discrimination, the feeling of pervasive surveillance, transparency, and accountability. Conducted as a general review of the literature, this work seeks to provide a holistic assessment of how technological advancements like FRT can be implemented ethically in law enforcement services, emphasizing that liberties must not be overlooked while ensuring security. In this regard, the study also puts forward guiding recommendations for managing this complex relationship in a balanced manner. The study concludes that while law enforcement agencies collect individuals' facial biometric data for legitimate public purposes, such as maintaining public order and security, preventing crime, and tracking criminals, it has also been determined that this data can lead to erroneous and unethical practices for a variety of reasons.

Keywords

Facial recognition technology , law enforcement , artificial intelligence , algorithm

KOLLUK KUVVETLERİNİN YÜZ TANIMA TEKNOLOJİSİNİ KULLANMASININ ETİK BOYUTLARI

Abstract

Bu kavramsal çalışmanın amacı, ‘Yüz Tanıma Teknolojisi’ (YTT) ve yapay zekâ (YZ) tabanlı güvenlik uygulamalarının kolluk kuvvetleri tarafından kullanımı bağlamında ortaya çıkan etik sorunları kapsamlı bir şekilde incelemektir. Çalışma; kamu güvenliğinin sağlanmasında, suç işlenmesinin önlenmesinde, teknolojik araçların sunduğu fırsatları göz ardı etmeden bu araçların bireysel mahremiyet, ayrımcılık riski, yaygın gözetim hissi, şeffaflık ve hesap verebilirlik gibi etik meselelerle olan ilişkisini tartışmayı hedeflemektedir. Literatürün genel bir incelemesi şeklinde yürütülen bu derleme, kolluk hizmetlerinde YTT gibi teknolojik ilerlemelerin etik sorumlulukla uyumlu biçimde nasıl hayata geçirilebileceğine ve güvenlik sağlanırken özgürlüklerin de göz ardı edilmemesi gerektiğine dair bütüncül bir değerlendirme sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu yönüyle çalışma, bu karmaşık ilişkinin dengeli bir şekilde yönetilmesi için rehber niteliğinde öneriler de ortaya atmaktadır. Kolluk kuvvetlerince kamu düzeni ve güvenliğinin sağlanması, suç işlenmesinin önlenmesi, suçluların takibi gibi meşru kamusal amaçlarla bireylerin yüzlerine ait biyometrik verilerin toplandığı sonucuna ulaşılmış ancak bu verilerin birtakım nedenlerle hatalı ve etik dışı uygulamalara kapı aralayacağı tespit edilmiştir.

Keywords

Yüz tanıma teknolojisi , kolluk kuvvetleri , etik , yapay zekâ , algoritma

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