Federal Agents Actively Employing Person Recognition Systems Without Proper Preparations, Rules, and Supervision, Report Finds
According to a report from the Accounts Chamber of the United States, federal agents are actively utilizing person recognition systems without adequate preparation, clear rules, and supervision from leadership.
Researchers conducted an investigation into seven departments within the Ministry of Internal Security and the Ministry of Justice, which collectively employ over 80% of federal authority personnel and are responsible for the majority of requests for biometric databases.
The investigation revealed that employees from nearly every department utilizing person recognition technology often did not undergo prior training. Furthermore, government agencies are not legally obligated to provide training on the application of this technology, with the exception of the Immigration and Customs Police and the Marshals service.
While each organization has general rules for handling personal data, none of those investigated fully adhered to them.
During the audited period, federal agents accessed biometric archives at least 63,000 times without any adjustments or external oversight. The actual number may be much higher, as some systems used by the FBI do not track statistics.
The abuse of person recognition technologies poses a threat to civil and basic human rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of movement. These algorithms enable covert surveillance and automatic tracking of individuals’ movements throughout the day. Experts worry that citizens may avoid public events and meetings with acquaintances, aware that their activities can be documented.
The Accounts Chamber has consistently urged the departments to establish clear guidelines for the use of biometric systems that consider civil rights and confidentiality principles. However, the new report indicates that most agencies have yet to take any action.