Facial Recognition Debate Lessons from Ukraine

Matthew Feeney and Rachel ChiuAccording toReuters, Ukrainian officials are using the facial recognition search engine Clearview AI to “uncover Russian assailants, combat misinformation and identify the dead.” In the United States, Clearview AI has made headlines in reporting on law enforcement, with civil liberties experts raising well‐​founded concerns about the proliferation of facial recognition technology (FRT) in poli ce departments. These concerns have prompted calls for the outrightban of facial recognition. Yet the Reuters article serves as a reminder that FRT has many applications beyond policing, and that those concerned about FRT should focus on regulations guiding deployment rather than seeking a ban on the technology.Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine a few weeks ago, the American government has responded with economic sanctions and military assistance to Ukraine. But pressure on Russia has come from private companies as well as governments. Apple has suspended sales in Russia and limited Russian use of its Apple Pay and Apple Maps software. Google hassuspended advertising in Russia andhalted payment on Google Pay. A host of other U.S.-based companies have also taken steps to limit Russian access to their goods and services. Yet the recent news about Clearview AI shows another way that private companies can involve themselves in the ongoing war: by assisting the Ukrainian government.Clearview AI scrapes billions of images from socia...

Source: Cato-at-liberty - March 17, 2022 Category: American Health Authors: Matthew Feeney, Rachel Chiu Source Type: blogs