FBI facial recognition systems draw criticism over privacy, accuracy
A new GAO report blasts the FBI over concerns for privacy and accuracy of its facial recognition systems and its huge database of photographs. The FBI facial recognition program has access to over 411 million photographs gathered from state driver's license databases as well as from passport and visa applications.
The FBI facial recognition programs are under scrutiny after a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the FBI's Facial Analysis, Comparison, and Evaluation (FACE) Services unit is using facial recognition software that has not been tested for accuracy.
The GAO audit was a response to a request from Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) to review the FBI's facial recognition technology, including a review of FBI facial recognition capabilities, evaluation of whether the FBI's use of those capabilities "adhered to laws and policies related to privacy," and the degree to which the FBI tests the accuracy of its facial recognition.
