US Commission on Civil Rights investigates federal agencies’ use of facial recognition

The US Commission on Civil Rights is turning its attention to the use of facial recognition by federal agencies, focusing on the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The commission plans to hold a briefing on 8 March 2024 to explore the civil rights implications of facial recognition technology, inviting government officials, researchers, legal experts, and software developers to participate.

While the US is behind the European Union in enacting AI legislation, concerns surrounding facial recognition and other AI applications persist. Joy Buolamwini, an AI researcher and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, noted the success of pushback against these technologies. Civil rights groups have urged tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft not to provide facial recognition to law enforcement agencies.

Buolamwini emphasised the central role of civil and human rights in discussions about the societal impact of AI. Issues such as biometric rights, demonstrated by incidents like the AI voice hoax and airport facial recognition, contribute to ongoing concerns. The January report from the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine also underscored the need for more regulatory action on facial recognition. The report identified concerns about the technology’s problematic use, misuse, inherent limitations, and biases. It called on the White House to enhance the proactive role of agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology in developing and using facial recognition.