Hungary’s Pride Event Draws Legal Battle Over Live Facial Recognition

Published Date : 10/2/2025 

The Hungarian government's controversial new laws, which ban LGBTQ assemblies and permit the use of live facial recognition, are being challenged by international human rights organizations. The European Centre for Non-Profit Law, Liberties, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union argue that these laws violate EU regulations. 

The government of Hungary under Viktor Orbán has enacted policies that reflect a deep-seated dislike for LGBTQ individuals. This year, the Hungarian Parliament passed amendments to the Assembly Act, the Infraction Act, and the Facial Recognition Technology Act. These changes effectively outlaw any LGBTQ assemblies and permit the use of live facial recognition technology.

Having banned Budapest’s Pride parade, which turned into the country’s largest anti-government demonstration in recent years, the government has now threatened to prosecute anyone participating in a long-running Pride event in the town of Pecs, scheduled for October 4.

Under the new legislation, anyone attending the Pecs event will be committing an infraction. Participants can face fines of up to 500 euros, while organizers can be sentenced to up to a year in prison.

However, a statement from the European Centre for Non-Profit Law (ECNL), Liberties, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union argues that simply stating anyone at a parade has committed an infraction does not exempt Hungary from EU law. They claim that the government's proposed actions would violate the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

“The amendments criminalize participation in Pride events banned by the police, with penalties, including excessive fines,” the groups say in a letter sent to the European Commission, urging it to launch infringement proceedings against Hungary. “They also introduce the use of facial recognition technology against protesters, which constitutes real-time remote biometric identification in public spaces. This is in direct breach of Article 5 of the newly adopted AI Act.”

The use of real-time facial recognition technology, they argue, is likely to create a chilling effect on the exercise of civic freedoms, in violation of the AI Act and Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter.

Hungary’s situation is a prime example of how online safety laws can be leveraged for political and ideological ends. The ban is rooted in a law ostensibly designed to protect children. When a government decides that being gay is a danger to kids, the law is easily exploited for oppression.

“Hungary’s actions represent a systematic dismantling of EU values and legal obligations,” the letter states. “We call on the Commission to take immediate, decisive steps to uphold the Union’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights.” 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are the new laws passed by the Hungarian Parliament?

A: The Hungarian Parliament passed amendments to the Assembly Act, the Infraction Act, and the Facial Recognition Technology Act, which effectively outlaw LGBTQ assemblies and permit the use of live facial recognition technology.

Q: What are the penalties for participating in the Pecs Pride event?

A: Participants can face fines of up to 500 euros, while organizers can be sentenced to up to a year in prison.

Q: Which organizations are challenging these laws?

A: The European Centre for Non-Profit Law (ECNL), Liberties, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union are challenging these laws, arguing that they violate EU regulations.

Q: How does the use of facial recognition technology affect civic freedoms?

A: The use of real-time facial recognition technology is likely to create a chilling effect on the exercise of civic freedoms, in violation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Q: What is the European Commission being urged to do?

A: The European Commission is being urged to launch infringement proceedings against Hungary to uphold the Union’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights. 

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