A government watchdog says the FBI has access to about 640 million photographs — including from driver’s licenses, passports, and mugshots — that can be searched using facial recognition technology.
The figure reflects how the technology is becoming an increasingly powerful law enforcement tool but is also stirring fears about the potential for authorities to intrude on the lives of Americans.
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It was reported by the Government Accountability Office at a congressional hearing in which both Democrats and Republicans scrutinized the use of the technology.
Users on social media reacted to the scary news —
The FBI said today they don't use real-time facial recognition & don't have plans to. In London this tech misidentifies people 98% of the time.
It's dangerous. It's invasive. Law enforcement doesn't need it.
It's time for Congress to shut real-time facial recognition down— ????Jake Laperruque???? (@JakeLaperruque) June 4, 2019
I legit cannot tell if the FBI is making incredibly wild nonsequitors to avoid answering questions at this hearing or just has a profound misunderstanding about how facial recognition surveillance works
— ????Jake Laperruque???? (@JakeLaperruque) June 4, 2019
So apparently the FBI, in conjunction w/ state gov'ts & 50 million+ facial recognition surveillance cameras, have been maintaining an illegal database on people in 18 states w/ no permission from anyone, much less the citizens' whose 4th Amendment rights they're trampling on. ???? https://t.co/s7cQwHfhpC
— Cory Groshek (@CoryGroshek) May 23, 2019
The FBI maintains a database known as the Interstate Photo System of mugshots that can help federal, state and local law enforcement officials. It contains about 36 million photographs, according to Gretta Goodwin of the GAO.
But taking into account the bureau contracts providing access to driver’s licenses in 21 states, and its use of photos and other databases, the FBI has access to about 640 million photographs, Goodwin told lawmakers at the House oversight committee hearing.
Kimberly Del Greco, a deputy assistant director at the FBI, claims the bureau has strict policies for using facial recognition.
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She said it is used only when there is an active FBI investigation or an assessment, which can precede a formal investigation.
When using the state databases, the FBI submits a so-called “probe photo” and then states conduct a search to yield a list of potential candidates to be reviewed by trained federal agents.
“Facial recognition is a tool that, if used properly, can greatly enhance law enforcement capabilities and protect public safety,” she said.
Dozens of civil liberties advocates asked lawmakers this week to implement a temporary, federal moratorium on the facial recognition technology.
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“Lawmakers must put the brakes on law enforcement use of this technology until Congress decides what, if any, use cases are permissible,” said Neema Singh Guliani, senior legislative counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
