Can I phone a friend? How cops circumvent face recognition bans

Can I phone a friend? How cops circumvent face recognition bans

May 20, 2024 at 12:17PM

Some US police departments are circumventing facial recognition bans by seeking help from neighboring cities without such restrictions. Washington Post’s review found that San Francisco and Austin police have sought facial recognition searches from other agencies, with varying success. The use of facial recognition has raised concerns about privacy, racial bias, and potential court admissibility.

Certainly! Here are the clear takeaways from the meeting notes:

1. Some police departments in the US have found ways to sidestep facial recognition technology bans by seeking help from neighboring jurisdictions without such restrictions.

2. The Washington Post’s review of police documents in Austin, Texas, and San Francisco reveals instances of facial recognition searches being conducted with varied levels of success.

3. The use of facial recognition technology without proper authorization has been reported in San Francisco and Austin, with some cases resulting in arrests and charges.

4. Despite concerns over the admissibility of evidence obtained through unauthorized facial recognition searches, there is an indication that some law enforcement agencies have sought to use such evidence.

5. Former San Francisco district attorney Chesa Boudin expressed skepticism about law enforcement’s denial of using facial recognition and raised concerns about biased application and potential violations of local rules.

6. Facial recognition technology has been flagged for bias issues, leading to advocacy for bans in numerous jurisdictions.

7. While facial recognition bans exist in approximately two dozen US jurisdictions, a significant number of police departments, including federal agencies, use some form of this technology. Additionally, many departments have partnerships with Amazon Ring for video footage related to law enforcement and public safety.

These takeaways encapsulate the key points and concerns highlighted in the meeting notes. Let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.

Full Article