I can understand the impulse behind it, but just downright banning it will mean that after 5 years they either are prolonging the ban or will have to buy the tech from the US, China or Russia.
Even if they prolong, every tech that might be a morally less questionable offshoot, will also come from said countries.
I think the smarter way would have been regulation, that makes its more transparent, more controllable but keeps a window open for technology to be developed in Europe.
There are still a load of applications for facial recognition that don't involve use in public places. There's no reason why EU companies can't stay involved in developing the tech.
That is my point though: The "load of applications for facial recognition" doesn't need to include public space use. But nonetheless those companies that yield the ai models out of their public place usage over five years will be almost unbeatable.
Even if they prolong, every tech that might be a morally less questionable offshoot, will also come from said countries.
I think the smarter way would have been regulation, that makes its more transparent, more controllable but keeps a window open for technology to be developed in Europe.