The US government's immigration enforcement agency has begun using facial recognition technology on American citizens, a practice that civil liberties advocates, lawmakers, and activists say is alarming. The use of smartphones loaded with sophisticated facial recognition software allows agents to photograph the faces of people they encounter in their daily operations, including possible targets and observers. Some images are being run through facial recognition software in real-time.
The practice has been acknowledged by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which says that facial recognition scans are meant to assist with immigration enforcement. However, some advocates argue that this is an unprecedented escalation of government surveillance and intimidation tactics. In many cases, it's not clear if or when facial recognition technology is immediately being used in the field.
The agency has invested heavily in AI-assisted facial recognition technologies, which can rapidly compare a scanned photo with vast databases to make a likely match. Many of the photos are taken through a customized DHS smartphone app called Mobile Fortify, which debuted last year. After a person's face is scanned, the app rapidly identifies the individual and presents their biographical information to the DHS employee.
The use of these tools and tactics has raised concerns about the potential for abuse and the lack of transparency around how the agency stores and uses the photos taken during scans. It is unclear what will happen to some of the images or if they can be deleted, but it is clear that the agency's surveillance activity on Americans is increasing.
In recent months, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have photographed and scanned Americans in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland, Maine, often without their consent. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has filed a class action lawsuit against ICE and CBP, alleging that their officers engage in a range of illegal practices, including forced facial scans.
The growing surveillance activity on Americans comes as DHS has invested heavily in AI-assisted facial recognition technologies. In January, Sen. Ed Markey introduced new legislation that would ban ICE and CBP's use of facial recognition technology.
Critics argue that the use of these tools is not only an invasion of civil liberties but also perpetuates systemic racism and disproportionately affects people of color. The practice has been likened to a "chilling effect," where individuals are reluctant to exercise their constitutional rights, such as protesting or observing immigration officials' operations.
As the government continues to expand its use of facial recognition technology, advocates are urging lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum to take action against this practice. They argue that Americans deserve to move freely throughout their country without being scanned against their will and having their faces stored by the government.
The practice has been acknowledged by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which says that facial recognition scans are meant to assist with immigration enforcement. However, some advocates argue that this is an unprecedented escalation of government surveillance and intimidation tactics. In many cases, it's not clear if or when facial recognition technology is immediately being used in the field.
The agency has invested heavily in AI-assisted facial recognition technologies, which can rapidly compare a scanned photo with vast databases to make a likely match. Many of the photos are taken through a customized DHS smartphone app called Mobile Fortify, which debuted last year. After a person's face is scanned, the app rapidly identifies the individual and presents their biographical information to the DHS employee.
The use of these tools and tactics has raised concerns about the potential for abuse and the lack of transparency around how the agency stores and uses the photos taken during scans. It is unclear what will happen to some of the images or if they can be deleted, but it is clear that the agency's surveillance activity on Americans is increasing.
In recent months, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have photographed and scanned Americans in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland, Maine, often without their consent. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has filed a class action lawsuit against ICE and CBP, alleging that their officers engage in a range of illegal practices, including forced facial scans.
The growing surveillance activity on Americans comes as DHS has invested heavily in AI-assisted facial recognition technologies. In January, Sen. Ed Markey introduced new legislation that would ban ICE and CBP's use of facial recognition technology.
Critics argue that the use of these tools is not only an invasion of civil liberties but also perpetuates systemic racism and disproportionately affects people of color. The practice has been likened to a "chilling effect," where individuals are reluctant to exercise their constitutional rights, such as protesting or observing immigration officials' operations.
As the government continues to expand its use of facial recognition technology, advocates are urging lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum to take action against this practice. They argue that Americans deserve to move freely throughout their country without being scanned against their will and having their faces stored by the government.
it's like, if you're doing nothing wrong, what's the harm in a quick scan? 
besides, we already have surveillance cameras everywhere so this is just another layer of security, right? 
and let's be real, most ppl aren't gonna freak out if their face gets scanned once or twice. it's not like they're storing our pics forever or anything 
the idea of gov agents taking pics of ppl w/o consent is super sketchy 
it's like they're creating a whole new level of surveillance state where we can't even walk down the street w/o being scanned 
and what if they get it wrong? or use it for other stuff we dont know about 
?!?!
. I mean, who doesn't love a good AI-powered selfie scanner? But seriously, though, the concern is about transparency and consent, you know? If we're gonna be scanned by our own government, shouldn't we at least get some warning or have control over what happens to those pics? 
. I hope lawmakers step in and make sure this tech is used for good, not just for the sake of being "cool" 
.
and now, they're using this tech to intimidate ppl who are exercising their rights? no way! we need laws in place to stop this kind of surveillance state nonsense. I mean, I get it, security is important, but there gotta be better ways to do it without sacrificing our civil liberties. 
I'm only seeing this now because my friend posted it a few days ago... anyway, I think it's wild that they're using facial recognition tech on American citizens. Like, what's next?