- The pandemic has served as a pretext for the deployment of new surveillance technologies, in particular drones. These devices have also been used to monitor demonstrations.
- The global security bill, which strengthens the powers of surveillance of many security actors in France, is denounced by many NGOs as a killer of freedom. The Bill will also legalise drone surveillance. the Council of State has already sanctioned the French police for having used this technology illegally several times.
- Facial recognition technology is still illegal in France but experimental use of this technology is increasing with the approach of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Algorithms are now being deployed in many cities which – coupled with video surveillance – make it possible to identify vehicles or people.
- At the end of 2020, several decrees extended the powers of the intelligence services who can present extremely detailed files on people on the basis of their political ideas or for their simple participation in a demonstration.