Interpol Pushing World Facial Recognition Database 171
The Register is reporting that according to some reports, Interpol will soon be pushing for a world-wide facial recognition database at the borders of all member nations. "The UK already has airport gates equipped with such technology, intended to remove the need for a human border guard to check that a passenger's face matches the one recorded in his or her passport. According to the Guardian, Interpol database chief Mark Branchflower believes that his organization should set up a database of facial-recognition records to operate alongside its existing photo, fingerprint and DNA files."
Re:There Already Is One (Score:4, Informative)
Here's a fairly balanced article [itsecurity.com] on the CIA/Facebook connection.
Opt-out Where You Can (Score:5, Informative)
On the New Hampshire Driver's License application/renewal form, there's a checkbox on the back that requires the State to delete your photo from its database after making the license. (Now that they're mailing the licenses though I have to wonder about their backup strategies.)
Do it where you can and get your legislature to require your DMV to do so if necessary. Also get them to reject RealID. If you can't, move here [freestateproject.org].
Re:what is the current accurcy rate? (Score:3, Informative)
Even 1% false positives or negatives in a huge application will lead to lots of problems...
Ah yes, the base rate fallacy (aka, the terrorist fallacy).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_rate_fallacy [wikipedia.org]
One of those obvious things that is so hard to convey.
Interesting that the 'example' used in the wikipedia article is so near to what is happening in reality.
Not quite Big Brother (Score:3, Informative)
The summary and the Register article make it sound like Interpol wants to keep a record of everyone with a passport. This does not appear to be the case, according to the original article [guardian.co.uk] which the Register ripped off and rewrote.
Senior figures want a system that lets immigration officials capture digital images of passengers and immediately cross-check them against a database of pictures of terror suspects, international criminals and fugitives.
Not that I like the scheme, but it doesn't sound quite as police-state as some might think. My picture is already taken all over the place if I go to the airport, this would take my picture and cross-check it with a database of known criminals, terrorists and fugitives.
Re:Alternate Applications (Score:3, Informative)
This technology doesn't work well enough for CCTV.
Sure about that? FTFA:
Re:Terrorist face recognition! (Score:4, Informative)
Re:what is the current accurcy rate? (Score:5, Informative)
Anyway, even at the current level of accuracy, it can't operate really well without human assistance.
Re:what is the current accurcy rate? (Score:3, Informative)
I'm uncertain - are you arguing that he's fallen for the fallacy or pointing it out?
I am just trying to point it out in support of his statement...and I'm not doing a very good job, evidently :(
Re:There Already Is One (Score:5, Informative)
Once upon a time commitment to American principles made one a patriot. Now blind support of all government policies is required.
Yeah, the DHS had a pamphlet out that listed the Gadsden Flag as a symbol of domestic terrorism.
The line between patriotism and nationalism is a thin one.. but I believe that a nationalist is a blind patriot.
It really disturbs me when I hear John McCain talk about "Country first".. That is absolutely UN-American. Americans believe the individual needs are placed about the needs of the state. China is a place where the needs of the state come before those of the individual people, not America.