The Time Is Now for Florida & Other States to Protect Citizens Against an Intrusion of Our Rights by Facial-Recognition Technology
According to the number of experts, facial recognition technology – such as Amazons artificial intelligence tool “Rekognition,” which is used by a number of law-enforcement agencies – is currently the biggest threat to our privacy and civil rights. The systems identify you by matching your facial dimensions against a giant database of photos. The problem with this process is that it is in perfect, and contains a number of very concerning flaws; in particular, many have been shown to incorrectly identify dark-skinned people at an elevated error rate. The technology is also often used improperly to identify innocent look alikes and there is no question that it encourages mass surveillance.
If this sounds like a unique tool that only a few law-enforcement agencies are currently trying out, think again: These systems are reportedly rapidly proliferating, with some cities developing a network of hundreds – or even thousands – of cameras across the city and public locations; surveillance that feeds images into police facial recognition systems. In addition, many either already do or will also one day receive video feeds from other sources, such as police body cameras and drones.
No Accountability Or Public Oversight
Perhaps of most concern is the fact that law enforcement tends to use this technology without being transparent as to exactly how and what extent it is being used. As of now, there is very little accountability and public oversight, and no one seems to have a clear concept of its reach. Existing civil rights and privacy safeguards were mainly designed to address and protect against traditional privacy and civil rights violations – such as an illegal search and seizure, leaving new technologies like these free to intrude on our privacy and rights in ways that were unforeseeable to what protections we have access to. There is no question that this could very well result in a violation far more profound than any violation before, with technology essentially enabling a run around when it comes to the law.
As a result, some cities have already banned any law-enforcement from using this technology. Still, these bans do not restrict the use of private companies or federal agents from using it, meaning that our only hope is to put in place strong laws protecting our civil rights and privacy to guard against this continuing explosion of accelerating technology.
Contact Our Florida Civil Rights Attorneys
You are afforded a number of protected rights that law enforcement, prosecutors, and the criminal justice system cannot trample on. The Baez Law Firm works tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and restored, and that you are compensated for any harm done to you. Contact our Orlando civil rights lawyers today to find out more.
Resource:
oregonlive.com/opinion/2019/09/opinion-protect-privacy-civil-rights-against-rise-of-facial-recognition-technology.html