In Brazil's southern state of Paraná, a biometric facial recognition system developed in Slovakia is implemented in state high schools to monitor student attendance. During class, teachers use a mobile application to capture images of students, which are then analyzed by an algorithm that compares facial features against a database of biometric profiles. Those identified as present are marked accordingly, while those not found in the database are marked absent.

The application, known as LRCO Paraná, is designed for the daily identification of nearly one million children across the state. Since its deployment in 2023, it has raised significant concerns in Europe regarding privacy, ethical implications, and the potential misuse of biometric data. The collaboration involves various international journalism entities and highlights the contrasting acceptance of such technology in different regions.

As the system continues to function in Brazil despite European objections, it illustrates the varying societal norms regarding surveillance and technology. This divergence not only reflects cultural attitudes towards data privacy but also raises broader questions about the implications of exporting surveillance technologies to regions with differing regulatory frameworks.