Brazilian Bill Targeting Facial Recognition in Schools Cites AI Fellow's Investigation

A proposed law in Brazil—prompted by reporting from Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellow Nico Schmidt—could significantly restrict the use of facial recognition technology in public and private schools.

Schimdt’s project, published in Núcleo Jornalismo and Investigate Europe, revealed that in the Brazilian state of Paraná, a European company’s facial recognition algorithm is being used to monitor the class attendance of up to 1 million children. The technology is being exported to countries with weak regulatory frameworks, including Colombia and Uruguay. 

Although the European AI Act restricts the use of facial recognition within the European Union, these surveillance tools are enabling mass surveillance abroad.

The technology has now come under scrutiny in Brazil’s Congress. Bill 1225-2026, introduced by Congresswoman Ana Paula Lima, references Schmidt’s investigation directly, stating: “In recent years, Brazil has witnessed the rapid spread of facial recognition systems in elementary and secondary school settings, without any specific regulations on the matter. The most emblematic and well-documented case was revealed in an investigative report published on March 13, 2026, by Núcleo Jornalismo, in partnership with Investigate Europe. The report published in Núcleo is titled 'Rejected in Europe, Implemented Here: The Facial Recognition System That Monitors Students in Brazil.'” 

The report also appeared in Investigate Europe, with the title “Blocked in Europe, Deployed Abroad: The Facial Recognition System Monitoring Brazil’s Schoolchildren.”

The bill would assign responsibility to public entities, ban the automatic tracking and recording of student attendance, suggest that consent for biometric data be obtained through a document separate from school enrollment forms, and mandate the review of existing contracts to protect children going forward.

Click here to read the reporting project supported by the Pulitzer Center.