Fact Check: "Facial recognition software to target Pride attendees, risking fines up to €500."
What We Know
On March 18, 2025, the Hungarian parliament passed a controversial law that bans Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attendees. This legislation was part of a broader crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government. The law stipulates that attending a banned event could result in fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints, approximately €500 ($546) (AP News) [source-1]. The law amends existing legislation concerning public assembly, making it an offense to participate in events that violate Hungary's "child protection" laws, which prohibit the "depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to minors (Euronews) [source-2].
Analysis
The claim that facial recognition software will be used to target Pride attendees and that fines could reach €500 is substantiated by multiple sources. The law explicitly states that authorities are permitted to use facial recognition tools for identifying individuals at prohibited events (Euronews) [source-2]. This aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ rights, which critics argue is a tactic to divert attention from pressing economic issues (AP News) [source-1].
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include reputable news organizations such as the Associated Press and Euronews, both known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes. Additionally, statements from human rights organizations like Amnesty International further corroborate the claim, describing the law as a "full-frontal attack" on the LGBTQ+ community (Amnesty International) [source-4].
However, it is essential to note the political context surrounding this legislation. The Hungarian government has been criticized for its authoritarian tendencies, and the law's passage was met with significant opposition and protests, indicating a contentious political environment (AP News) [source-1]. This context may influence how various media outlets report on the issue, but the core facts regarding the law's provisions remain consistent across multiple sources.
Conclusion
The claim that facial recognition software will be used to target Pride attendees in Hungary, with fines of up to €500 for participation in banned events, is True. The law explicitly allows for the use of such technology and imposes significant penalties for violations, reflecting a broader trend of repression against LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary.
Sources
- Hungary's new anti-LGBTQ+ law bans Pride events and ...
- Hungary passes law banning Pride events in new blow to ...
- Hungary tells EU ambassadors not to attend Pride parade ...
- Hungary: Pride ban is full-frontal attack on LGBTI people ...
- Irish politicians to attend Budapest Pride as Hungary ...
- AI Surveillance to be Deployed on Banned Budapest Pride
- Tweets Won't Protect Budapest Pride. Legal Action Can.
- euronews - X
