Daily US Times, Washington: US lawmakers expressed their concerns over facial recognition software as some cases revealed inaccurate identification.
US giant tech companies like Google, Amazon and Microsoft are developing the software. Increasing numbers of law enforcement agencies are using these softwares to identify people.
Some software misidentifies women and people of colour, which raises concern about the matter.
The lawmakers are working on a proposal for a bill to limit the use of facial recognition.
Pause the system
Some tech experts have raised questions about how the government and private companies are using facial recognition databases.
A witness of Wednesday’s hearing said he thinks we need to pause the technology and let the rest of it catch up.
Experts are urging a requirement of consent for facial recognition software. In the US, it is now enough for a person to be able to see the camera to grant consent.
How the companies get the data?
Facial recognition software need lots of data to show desired results. Companies are collecting the data through various channels. The collect CCTV footage and by scraping websites, including photo-sharing sites like Flickr and Facebook.
Instagram and Facebook photo filters are also helpful to hone details of faces.
US police previously said they successfully identified missing children and criminals through facial recognition software.
But there are some misidentifications for biased algorithms. Those accused of crimes because of facial recognition software are often not told the technology has been used.
There are also concerns like the authoritarian regimes could use the software to undermine citizens.
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