According to reports, the system will be managed by the Russian Presidential Affairs Department’s Scientific Research Computing Center (GlavNIVTs), described as a “semi-covert agency close to Russia’s intelligence services
Leaked documents have unveiled the Kremlin’s extensive investment in facial recognition-powered surveillance, shedding light on the involvement of biometrics companies like NtechLab in the ambitious project. With a reported budget of 12 billion roubles (approximately US$129.6 million), the Russian government aims to establish a nationwide system to store and process data from surveillance cameras across its cities by 2030.
The revelation comes amidst growing concerns over the crackdown on Russian activists, journalists, and opposition members, many of whom have been apprehended with the help of facial recognition cameras.
According to reports, the system will be managed by the Russian Presidential Affairs Department’s Scientific Research Computing Center (GlavNIVTs), described as a “semi-covert agency close to Russia’s intelligence services.” The leaked documents, obtained by the Estonian news agency Delfi Estonia, provide insights into the inner workings of the surveillance initiative.
GlavNIVTs is set to rely on software and licenses from companies like NtechLab and Gigarama. NtechLab, previously sanctioned by the European Union for its involvement in persecuting Russians evading military duty, has been supplying facial recognition technology to Russian city authorities for public surveillance.
The agency will oversee two key projects: the Video Stream Processing Service and the Video Stream Processing Center. These initiatives aim to swiftly identify threats and “destructive and/or disloyal behavior” by collecting and processing video data using artificial intelligence. The processed data will then be aggregated to identify “objects of interest.”
The allocated budget for GlavNIVTs amounts to 3.88 billion roubles (approximately US$42.6 million), slightly less than initially planned. The federal Video Stream Processing Service is slated to be directly connected to regional surveillance systems, employing three types of cameras: those for crowd control in densely populated areas, those for monitoring roads and railway crossings with license recognition software, and those designed to recognize individuals and create biometric templates of their faces. These individual-recognition cameras will be installed by various agencies, including the FSB, Internal Affairs Ministry, and an authorized body.
The leaked documents provide valuable insights into the scale and scope of Russia’s surveillance ambitions, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties.
