Delhi Police Deploy AI Smart Glasses with Real-Time Facial Recognition Against 65,000-Criminal Database at Republic Day 2026

Delhi Police deployed AI-powered smart glasses linked to a database of approximately 65,000 known offenders at the 2026 Republic Day parade, marking the first use of such wearable facial recognition technology by the force. All CCTV cameras were simultaneously integrated with video analytics and facial recognition systems. Officers stated the system can identify individuals even when disguised, and thermal scanning was added to detect concealed weapons. Civil liberties groups note that no privacy impact assessment was conducted before deployment.

In this domain: Privacy campaigners have lost a High Court challenge aimed at limiting use of live facial recognition technology. · UK Parliament briefing: live facial recognition now active across 13 forces, national rollout planned · UK launches £82m biometric Justice ID overhaul after 179 wrongful prison releases in a year