The long-time far-right prime minister warned that facial recognition software will be used to monitor protests in a chilling new authoritarian trend.

A new anti-LGBTQ+ law banning Pride events and allowing authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending the festivities was passed in Hungary on Tuesday, leading to a large demonstration on the streets of Budapest.

The move by Hungarian lawmakers is part of a crackdown on the country’s LGBT community by the right-wing Viktor Orban government. The law, supported by Mr Orban’s Fidesz party and their minority coalition partner the Christian Democrats, was pushed through parliament in an accelerated procedure after being submitted on Monday.