The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has officially launched a new information system called "Likon". The tool is designed for automatic facial recognition and matching based on photographs, which is expected to radically change the work of law enforcement agencies in the field of search and identification. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Order No. 596 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated June 26, 2026.

The implementation of the technology aims to accelerate the search for missing persons and the identification of suspects. However, the department immediately outlined the boundaries of the use of algorithms, embedding strict mechanisms for protecting citizens' rights and data confidentiality into the system.

Three key tasks of the system

The developers of "Likon" oriented the system towards solving specific operational tasks faced by Ukrainian police officers. The main areas of application of the technology include:

  • Identification of suspects: Automatic matching of photographs with databases and wanted lists allows for the rapid identification of individuals evading justice.
  • Search for missing persons: The system assists in finding citizens with whom contact has been lost, especially in difficult conditions — in combat zones or during evacuations.
  • Identification of incapacitated persons: Algorithms allow for the identification of the elderly, minors, or persons with health disorders who cannot provide their own data independently.

Supplementary status and legal restrictions

A crucial aspect of the functioning of "Likon" is its status in the legal field. Legislation clearly defines that an automatic match of persons in the system is not an independent ground for filing charges or making procedural decisions.

Data obtained using algorithms is of an exclusively supplementary nature. Police officers are obliged to carefully verify any information through other official sources and procedures prescribed by law. Only after additional confirmation can the results of the system's work be used in criminal or administrative proceedings.

Protection against total surveillance

Given the sensitivity of facial recognition technologies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has introduced strict restrictions to protect citizens' privacy. In the "Likon" system, general or total surveillance, as well as uncontrolled copying or accumulation of personal data, is strictly prohibited.

To ensure security and prevent abuse, developers have implemented two key technical mechanisms:

  • Complete logging of actions: Every access by an official to the system, upload of photographs, or viewing of results is automatically recorded in electronic logs. This makes it impossible to use the resource secretly for personal purposes.
  • Instant deletion of data: Photographs uploaded for verification are not stored in the system on a permanent basis. Algorithms delete them immediately after the comparison session is completed.

Thus, "Likon" is intended to become an effective tool for operational work without violating the balance between public safety and individual rights.