Despite not making the full policy public, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has revealed insights into its interim policy concerning facial recognition technology (FRT). The testimony submitted to the US Commission on Civil Rights highlights key aspects of the policy announced in December, emphasising its adherence to protecting First Amendment activities. The policy aims to prevent unlawful use of FRT, establish guidelines for compliant use, and address various aspects, including privacy protection, civil rights, and accuracy.
Ethical considerations are integral to the interim policy, with measures in place to prevent discriminatory use of facial recognition and ensure accountability for its deployment. However, complexities arise due to evolving AI regulations and the proliferation of biometric algorithms, leading to stipulations that FRT systems must comply with DOJ policies on AI and that FRT results alone cannot serve as sole proof of identity.
The testimony acknowledged civil rights concerns, recognising the potential for bias in algorithms and the misuse of FRT, including unlawful surveillance. Nonetheless, the DOJ emphasises the benefits of FRT in enhancing public safety, citing its role in identifying missing persons, combating human trafficking, and aiding in criminal investigations. According to the DOJ, the key lies in harnessing FRT’s potential while implementing effective safeguards to mitigate potential harm.
Why does it matter?
In a related development, the US government has recently published new guidelines that require all federal agencies to appoint senior leaders as chief AI officers to oversee the use of AI systems. According to the guidelines, agencies must establish AI governance boards to coordinate usage and submit annual reports detailing AI systems, associated risks, and mitigation strategies. As a result, the US Department of Justice appointed Jonathan Mayer, an assistant professor specialising in national security, consumer privacy, and criminal procedure at Princeton University, as its first chief AI officer.
Israel has deployed a sophisticated facial recognition program in the Gaza Strip, according to reports. The program, initiated after the 7 October attacks, employs technology from Google Photos and a proprietary tool from Corsight AI, an Israeli firm dedicated to creating industry-leading facial recognition technology to identify individuals linked to Hamas without their consent.
The facial recognition system, crafted in parallel with Israel’s military operations in Gaza, operates by collecting data from diverse sources, including social media platforms, surveillance footage, and inputs from Palestinian detainees. Israeli Unit 8200, the primary intelligence unit, played a pivotal role in identifying potential targets through these means.
Corsight’s technology, known for its claim to accurately identify individuals even with less than 50% of their face visible, was utilised to construct a facial recognition tool. Establishing checkpoints equipped with facial recognition cameras along critical routes used by Palestinians to escape southwards, the Israeli military aims to expand the database and pinpoint potential targets, compiling a ‘hit list’ of individuals associated with the 7 October attack.
Despite soldiers acknowledging Corsight’s technology’s limitations, particularly in grainy images or obscured faces, concerns persist over misidentifications. One such incident involved the mistaken apprehension of Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha, who faced interrogation and detention due to being flagged by the system.
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has launched an investigation into cryptocurrency project Worldcoin following numerous complaints about its collection of personal information. Of particular concern is the project’s use of iris scanning in exchange for cryptocurrency. The PIPC announced on Monday that it will examine company’s collection, processing, and potential overseas transfer of sensitive personal information, and will take action if any violations of local privacy rules are found.
It is worth noting that OpenAI, which co-founded Worldcoin, was fined last year by the privacy watchdog for leaking personal information of South Korean citizens through its ChatGPT application. This connection with OpenAI adds weight to the concerns surrounding the handling of personal data by Worldcoin.
Worldcoin is an identity-focused cryptocurrency project. Participants in the protocol receive WLD tokens in return for signing up. The project’s unconventional sign-up process has also raised concerns in other jurisdictions. As of now, company has not responded to the investigation or the accusations.
A recent report exploring the impact of investing in IDV, released by Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identify verification (IDV) solutions, shows gaps in identity fraud between banking and fintech organisations worldwide. The research conducted between December 2022 and January 2023 found that every fourth bank reported more than 100 identity fraud incidents in 2022 (about 26% of organisations), while 17% were reported in the fintech sector. The most common form of fraud identity was the use of fake or modified physical documents.
The report further indicates the economic and collateral effects of identity fraud. The median cost of identity fraud for banks was nearly half a million dollars (about $479,000) and $120,000 for the fintech sector organizations. The collateral effects were related to business disruption (44%) and legal expenses (36%).
The government of Jamaica has announced that the sensitisations on campaigns on implementing the National Identification System (NIDS) will begin as the procurement process is being finalised after it failed in 2022. This is part of the country’s effects to roll out its new generation biometric passport from 31 March 2023.
During the campaign on digital ID sensitisation, free birth certificates will be issued. These birth certificates will enable those who receive them to apply for national IDs.
The chairperson of the Commission on Elections in the Philippines said the commission will use new technology in the 2025 national elections. The technology will help to replace the old machines. The commission has already completed the biometrics, signature, facial and fingerprint. If these are integrated, it will help address the challenges of having a voter voting multiple times from one province to another city.
However, the commission is still struggling with funding challenges that limit the determination of the technology used. The new technology will replace the previous vote counting machines (VCMs) used in May 2022 polls. Vice President Sara Duterte has supported this move by advising Commission on Elections to consider doing away with ballot shading or handwriting on ballots during elections.
During an event organized by Breast Cancer International in conjunction with the office of the Vice President during the commemoration of International Women’s Day, Ghanaian Vice President Mr Bawumia announced that Ghana would start issuing card numbers to all new babies effective 31 March 2023. This was during a presentation in which the vice president highlighted some of the digital programs the government was planning to carry out in Ghana.
The digital identity will interact with the national information management system. All government-held data about Kenyans will also be linked to their digital identity, and all public services will be availed through digital channels.
South African cabinet approved a draft National Identification and Registration Bill 2022, which will see the creation of a single integrated national information system for all persons living in South Africa. This will involve the integration of the three existing databases into one database being used in the country. On 18 February 2023, the Minister of Home Affairs revealed that final touches were being made on the bill, which would be released for public comments.
Chile’s authorities extended Idemia’s (a company specialising in biometric identification services) contract to help upgrade the country’s civil registry is being extended by a year. Chile had signed an initial 10-year contract with Idemia, which involves the provision of digital ID cards and biometric passports by Idemia. However, the cost has reduced from the initial US$700 million to $276 million after the Chilean Civil Registry declared that it would operate the system. Idemia has been offered a one-year extension to maintain the old system.
