Biometrics

Facial Recognition Is Here But We Have No Laws

Without legal safeguards, this technology will undermine democratic values and fundamental rights.

  • By Sam duPont

House Subcommittee Again Takes Aim at Amazon over Ring Surveillance

The subcommittee wants assurances from Amazon that its Ring doorbell camera isn’t being misused by law enforcement.

  • By Frank Konkel

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Federal Use of Facial Recognition Tech

If passed, federal agencies would not be able to run, fund, purchase or otherwise use data from facial biometric systems without congressional authorization.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Bill Calls for Federally Funded Research on Police Use of Force and Facial Recognition

The legislation would authorize millions to underpin the efforts it mandates.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Senator Questions How Clearview AI’s Facial Recognition Tech is Put to Use on Protesters

Sen. Ed Markey sent his latest letter to the company this week.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Policing Reform Bill Would Prohibit Embedding Facial Recognition in Body Cameras

The Justice in Policing Act contains several restrictions on the use of facial biometric technologies for federal, state and local law enforcement.

  • By Aaron Boyd

ICE Outlines How Investigators Rely on Third-Party Facial Recognition Services

In a newly released impact assessment, the immigration enforcement agency details its use of facial biometrics and the privacy implications involved.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Homeland Security’s Biometrics Database Is on Its Way to the Amazon Cloud

The Office of Biometric Identity Management released a privacy impact assessment as the program begins moving the nation’s biometric database to Amazon’s GovCloud.

  • By Aaron Boyd

The Air Force and Navy Are Testing A Biometric App to Stay Fit Amid Social Distancing

The app is helping the services monitor the health of sailors and airmen stuck at home.

  • By Patrick Tucker, Defense One

'Smart Toilet' Checks You for Diseases Like Cancer

Gadgets inside the toilet bowl can detect a range of disease markers in stool and urine.

  • By Stanford University, Futurity

ICE Wants to Connect Its Facial Recognition System With a Pennsylvania County’s Gang Intel App

Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to develop an offshoot of Lehigh County’s Gang Intelligence App over the next year.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Government to Begin Taking DNA Samples from Detained Migrants  

DNA samples will be still sent to the FBI for storage in its CODIS system.

  • By Frank Konkel

DHS Launches Third Biometric Rally to Assess How the Tech Works on Crowds

The agency is accepting applications through April 30.

  • By Brandi Vincent

NASA Tech Could Replace Passwords with Your Heartbeat

The space agency announced several health and biotech technology transfer opportunities.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Featured eBooks

The Role of Chief Data Officers
The Government's As-a-Service Future
Government Innovation in a Global Pandemic

What Can Barnstormers Teach Us about Face Recognition? 

New technologies and a lack of regulation cause real and imagined problems. 

  • By Craig Arndt

Senators Call for a Moratorium on Government’s Use of Facial Recognition

Some say it’s a step in the right direction but limitations remain.

  • By Brandi Vincent

CBP Expands Facial Recognition Program to Another Southern Border Crossing

Travelers passing through the Progreso port of entry on foot will see a new crossing protocol.

  • By Aaron Boyd

CBP Is Upgrading to a New Facial Recognition Algorithm in March

The agency also signed an agreement with NIST to test the algorithm and its operational environment for accuracy and potential biases.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Senator Demands Answers on Facial Recognition Tool that Could Pose ‘Chilling’ Privacy Risks

Sen. Ed Markey said he’s particularly troubled about law enforcement officials’ access to the app.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Inside the CBP-Built ‘Backbone’ of Atlanta’s Biometric Terminal

An executive agency conducting a comprehensive assessment of the technology’s use in aviation security detailed its recent review of America’s first fully biometric terminal—and the service it runs on.

  • By Brandi Vincent

CBP Expands Facial Recognition for Global Entry Travelers

The technology is already being used at 15 airports—including three abroad—to speed pre-approved travelers through the customs process.

  • By Aaron Boyd