When it debuted in 2018, Amazon’s Face Recognition Falsely Matched 28 Members of Congress With mugshots (including 2 from NJ).
In a test the ACLU recently conducted of the facial recognition tool, called “Rekognition,” the software incorrectly matched 28 members of Congress, identifying them as other people who have been arrested for a crime.
The false matches were disproportionately of people of color, including six members of the Congressional Black Caucus, among them civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). These results demonstrate why Congress should join the ACLU in calling for a moratorium on law enforcement use of face surveillance.
To conduct our test, we used the exact same facial recognition system that Amazon offers to the public, which anyone could use to scan for matches between images of faces. And running the entire test cost us $12.33 — less than a large pizza.
In February 2019, this became a very real and serious problem for an innocent NJ man.
Nijeer Parks was accused of shoplifting candy and trying to hit a police officer with a car at a Hampton Inn in Woodbridge, N.J. The police had identified him using facial recognition software, even though he was 30 miles away at the time of the incident.
– NYT: Another Arrest, and Jail Time, Due to a Bad Facial Recognition Match
New Ordinance to be Introduced to BAN Facial Recognition
I want to thank Jacob Snow and others that have helped to push this issue and keep it in the public sphere. As the ability to scan faces becomes more commonplace, the ability to find yourself behind bars based on a glitchy piece of software increases.
I’m proud that we are getting vest cams for the safety of our residents AND officers in Teaneck. But, with that technology, comes the need to address privacy and technological challenges, such as those posed by Facial Recognition technologies.
The first step in that effort will be put forward at the next council meeting with a ban on facial recognition technology by the Township.
ADDING ARTICLE XXXIV, “PRIVACY” TO CHAPTER 2 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE ENTITLED “CHARTER/ADMINISTRATIVE CODE”
As part of the ordinance:
Ban on Facial Recognition Surveillance Technologies
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any municipal entity to obtain, retain, access or use facial recognition surveillance technologies.
I hope you will join me in supporting this measure.
And as always, I welcome suggestions and comments to update our code for the protection of residents.
Thank you for addressing this important issue. I support the new ordinance. Nothing could be more frightening and traumatic than to be falsely accused and arrested. As surveillance cameras have become ubiquitous in our society, the protection of privacy is of utmost concern.