Biometric refers to technologies used to detect and recognize unique human physical characteristics for the purpose of identification and authentication of a user to a system. Common examples include fingerprint and retinal scanning, facial recognition, and voice analysis. These types of biometric have become the norm and standard way to access ones phone to entering building. Yet, over the past week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced its next generation surveillance system which uses facial recognition biometric combined with criminal fingerprints. The FBI claims the project is out of the pilot stage and is at "full operational capability” promoting its full deployment. According to the bureau's director, James Comey the system“ will provide the nation's law enforcement community with an investigative tool that provides an image-searching capability of photographs associated with criminal identities”. Cross-checking images and fingerprints with those in other criminal databases may not seem intrusive however, the Electronic Frontier Foundation “EFF” issued a FOIA request under the under the Freedom of Information Act a obtain records showing that the database will have as many as 52 million photos by next year and include pictures of innocent people. In addition, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has obtained documents expressing concern with the accuracy of recognition citing that “the system could fail 20 percent of the time, which the group said could lead to innocent persons becoming the subject of police investigations.”
However, the effectiveness of facial recognition system has shown to be viable and powerful after a US fugitive on the run for 14 years in connection with child sex charges was apprehended in Nepal. This arrest was made possible by the State Department testing facial recognition software to detect passport fraud. The FBI continues to praise the system ensuring the use is for good rather invasion of privacy, stating “The NGI system has introduced enhanced automated fingerprint and latent search capabilities, mobile fingerprint identification, and electronic image storage, all while adding enhanced processing speed and automation for electronic exchange of fingerprints to more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies and other authorized criminal justice partners 24 hours a day, 365 days a year”. Based on the latest arrest figures available, many have estimated, that this system will result in more than 12 million arrests in the US, which is equivalent to one arrest every two seconds.
It seems in the near future, that facial recognition systems will cut down the time and cost in investigations and may be seen as something standard and normal to the public, in applying for a new position, updating their drivers licence or even uploading their photos online.
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