Italy has banned the use of facial-recognition technology and similar biometrics systems until either a specific law is adopted or at least until the end of next year.
"The moratorium arises from the need to regulate eligibility requirements, conditions and guarantees relating to facial recognition, in compliance with the principle of proportionality," the agency said in a statement.
Facial-recognition systems can extract different kinds of information from images and then relay these data back to the user. Under European Union and Italian law, the processing of personal data by public bodies using video devices is generally allowed on public interest grounds and when linked to the activity of public authorities, the Italian watchdog said.
However, municipalities that want to use them have to strike "urban security pacts" with central government representatives, it added.
The exception is when such technologies play a role in judicial...