They present it in a way where it seems like you have to comply- "OK, now look into this camera and hold still".

If you don't read the signs (and from what I saw, no one does...), you may not understand that it's optional. The dishonesty is on purpose of course.

Yes I was shocked that the lady behind the podium stated “now look here” as if it is totally normal. They’ve clearly been instructed to do this. And it makes it all the more alarming that this power is vested in the government. They can abuse this ability to introduce new dystopian things in many other settings that are more consequential.