Category: facial recognition

New LAX Port Director to Oversee Facial Recognition Program

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appointed a new director Nov. 22 to oversee its facial recognition program, international travel, and a new cargo X-ray system at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Director Cheryl Davies, formerly the assistant director of passenger operations, was sworn in during a Change of Command Ceremony at the Sgt….


Adelaide Suspends Police Access To Facial Recognition Tech

South Australia (SA) police will not be granted access to facial recognition services embedded in a new $3 million surveillance system due to concerns about indiscriminate use and lack of regulation. The federally-funded system—which also features object and license plate recognition—will cover the City of Adelaide following the retirement of existing ageing infrastructure. The rollout…


Facebook to Shut Down Facial Recognition System, Delete Data of 1 Billion Users

Facebook Inc. on Tuesday announced it is shutting down its facial recognition system that identifies users in videos and photos, while claiming it will delete “facial recognition templates” of more than 1 billion people. “Regulators are still in the process of providing a clear set of rules governing its use,” Jerome Pesenti, vice president of…


Delta Air Lines Launches Facial Recognition Checks

At this airport, boarding a plane is now a hassle-free experience for a select group of passengers. Delta Air Lines and the Transportation Security Administration in the US have teamed up to offer a check-in and boarding system using a facial recognition software system. The pilot program begins in Atlanta next week, with a similar…


7-Eleven Secretly Scanning Customer Faces Without Consent: Australian Data Authority

Convenience store group 7-Eleven has been found collecting facial recognition data from customers without their consent, according to Australia’s data protection authority. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) said facial images of customers were collected while they completed surveys on their in-store experience. Over 1.6 million surveys were completed in 10 months across…


Feds Intend to Launch Facial Recognition System for Canadian Passport Holders: Report

Canada will set up a facial recognition system within the next two years that will include the faces of 25 million Canadian passport holders compiled into a database, according to a federal agency notice, despite little evidence of identity fraud in Canada. “The department must have facial recognition system support capabilities in place no later than…


UN Warns Artificial Intelligence May Pose ‘Negative, Even Catastrophic’ Threat to Human Rights

The United Nations has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) systems may pose a “negative, even catastrophic” threat to human rights and called for AI applications that are not used in compliance with human rights to be banned. U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Sept. 15 urged members states to put a temporary ban on the sale and use…


Civil Liberties Groups Demand Ban on Facial Recognition Technology in UK

A group of civil society bodies has called on the government to ban facial recognition cameras, while accusing police and the Home Office of bypassing Parliament over guidance for the use of the technology. Thirty-one organisations including Amnesty International, Liberty, and Privacy International have posted an open letter alleging guidance allowing police, local councils, and…


B.C. Privacy Watchdog Investigating Federal Liberals Over Facial Recognition Software

OTTAWA—British Columbia’s privacy watchdog has launched an investigation into the federal Liberal party’s use of facial recognition technology to pick candidates for the next election. B.C. information and privacy commissioner Michael McEvoy’s office ended weeks of speculation on Friday by announcing the investigation in response to concerns from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. “The investigation…


New Identity Authentication for Unemployment Spreading Across Country

Pennsylvania now requires individuals filing for unemployment compensation to prove their identity before receiving payments. In an effort to prevent fraudulent claims which have plagued the online unemployment system, Pennsylvania has hired ID.me, a McLean, Virginia-based company, to authenticate users. Since 2020, some 27 states have hired ID.me for unemployment verification, including Pennsylvania, Arizona, California,…