Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us.

author photo

How Police Use Facial Recognition Software to ID You

by Fox Van Allen on June 17, 2013

privacyA bank has just been robbed. The only evidence left behind is grainy security camera footage – detectives have a blurry face, but nothing else to go off of. The photo gets enhanced and run through a database. A few drama-filled moments later, the computer spits out the name and address of a suspect.

This may sound like a terrible plot from an episode (every episode?) of CSI: Miami. But it’s also happening every day in police departments across the country. According to the Washington Post, police officers in 26 states are empowered to use facial recognition software in conjunction with a database of driver’s license photos to track down witnesses, verify IDs, and learn more about potential suspects. Over 120 million Americans appear in these facial recognition systems nationwide.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been arrested for a crime before – if you drive, the police already know what you look like. Show up in the wrong camera and the fuzz will be able to find you within hours.

Not all states let the police search through photo databases of private citizens. Oregon, Washington, New York and eight other states restrict police access to face-recognition systems. California, meanwhile, does not have a facial-recognition system in place.

Currently, most police officers do not need a warrant to run your picture or likeness through a law enforcement database, so long as doing so has a legitimate purpose. Police can analyze security camera footage stills and even Facebook photos to help crack difficult cases.

The American Civil Liberties Union has long opposed facial recognition technology for “its potential to finally and decisively put an end to the possibility of anonymity in public.” Of course, given how muted public response was to revelations that the government is spying on all our Internet communications, America may very well respond to the threat with another big yawn.


Topics

Computers and Software, News, Cameras and Photography, Blog, Privacy, Social Networking


Discussion loading

gravatar

From Josh Kirschner on June 17, 2013 :: 3:24 pm


Nothing a Guy Fawkes mask wouldn’t fix: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA7XGQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=techlicious-20

Reply

gravatar

From Derek Manley on January 15, 2015 :: 11:15 am


My Asus X550C laptop does not recognise wireless speaker IBTB14. My mobile phone does and I have no problem with my HP wireless printer.Bluetooth indicator is flashing on the speaker but no sign of the device on my laptop networks page. Any suggestions please?

Reply

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships | Licensing & Permissions
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.