BIG BROTHER ON DUTY: HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS ON BIOMETRIC FACIAL RECOGNITION FOR CRIME PREVENTION

Yıl 2026, Sayı: 31, 27 - 46, 22.01.2026

Neslihan Can Yavuz

Öz

Smart technologies, which permeate every aspect of our daily lives today, not only detect criminals but also prevent them. Since the innovation of artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric technologies, there has been a significant increase in the recording and storage of personal data, particularly in terms of data protection. The use of the aforementioned technologies by law enforcement and other judicial authorities raises issues of interference with individuals’ right to respect for private life under the European Convention on Human Rights. In the literature, this use has been studied in relation to the right to respect for private life, the right to the protection of personal data, the regime of interference, the criminal consequences of unlawful use, and the issue of compensation for the violation. However, the effects of the use of biometric-based facial recognition systems for the purpose of crime prevention on human rights have not been subject to theoretical and critical evaluation. This study raises a critical question as to whether these systems will lead to a future like the dystopia described in Orwell’s 1984, and aims to examine if the states’ processing of biometric data, primarily through facial recognition technologies (FRTs), is leading us towards a dystopia or a utopia where crimes are minimized. The study delves into both the shortcomings and efficiency of facial recognition systems by pointing out the related case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Anahtar Kelimeler

Facial recognition technology , biometric data , crime prevention , right to privacy , European Court of Human Rights

Etik Beyan

There is no requirement of Ethics Committee Approval for this study.

Büyük Birader İş Başında: Suç Önleme Amaçlı Biyometrik Yüz Tanımaya İlişkin İnsan Hakları Sorunları

Öz

Günlük hayatın her alanına nüfuz eden akıllı teknolojiler, günümüzde yalnızca suçluları tespit etmekle kalmayıp aynı zamanda önlemeye matuf olarak kullanılmaktadır. Yapay zekâ ve biyometrik teknolojilerin gelişmesiyle de özellikle veri koruma alanında kişisel verilerin kaydedilmesi ve saklanmasında önemli bir artış olmuştur. Mezkûr teknolojilerin kolluk ve diğer adli makamlar tarafından kullanımı, bireylerin Avrupa İnsan Hakları Sözleşmesi’nin özel hayata saygı hakkı kapsamında müdahaleleri gündeme getirmektedir. Nitekim literatürde bu kullanım özel hayata saygı hakkı ve daha özelde kişisel verilerin korunması hakkı bağlamında müdahale rejimi itibarıyla incelendiği gibi hukuka aykırı kullanımların suç tipi olarak karşılıkları veya ihlalin giderimine ilişkin tazminat meselesi ele alınmıştır. Fakat özellikle biyometrik tabanlı yüz tanıma sistemlerinin suçların önlemesi amaçlı olarak kullanımının insan hakları üzerindeki etkileri kuramsal ve kritik bir değerlendirmeye tabi tutulmuş değildir. Bu çalışma ise bu sistemlerin Orwell’ın 1984 distopyasındaki gibi bir geleceğe yol açıp açmadığına dair kritik bir soruyu gündeme getirmekte ve devletlerin başta yüz tanıma teknolojileri olmak üzere biyometrik verileri işlemesinin toplumu bir distopyaya mı yoksa suçların en aza indirildiği bir ütopyaya mı götürdüğünü incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, Avrupa İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi’nin ilgili içtihadına işaret ederek yüz tanıma sistemlerinin hem eksikliklerini hem de etkililiğini ele almaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Yüz tanıma teknolojisi , biyometrik veri , suç önleme , özel hayat hakkı , Avrupa İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi

Kaynakça

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