By the way, the security state really is here

[agent46]

San Diego quietly slips facial recognition into the hands of law enforcers

by Lisa Vaas on November 12, 2013 | 11 Comments
Filed Under: Featured, Law & order, Privacy

Facial recognition image courtesy of ShutterstockThe US immigration agent had a hunch.

So while he was taking part in a warrant sweep in the Oceanside neighborhood of the US city of San Diego, in California, he whipped out his Android smartphone and snapped a quick photo.

He didn't have to ask his subject's name. He didn't need to check the man's identification. And he certainly didn't need a warrant.

The facial recognition software on the mobile phone confirmed the agent's suspicion about the immigration status of a neighbor of the person he was pursuing: the neighbor was in the country illegally and had been convicted in 2003 of driving under the influence in San Diego.

It's easy to see why law enforcement agents rave about this new, mobile facial recognition technology - called the Tactical Identification System (TACIDS) - which has been quietly rolled out in a pilot program in San Diego this year, according to a report published on Thursday by The Center for Investigative Reporting.

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/11/12/san-diego-quietly-slips-facial-recognition-into-the-hands-of-law-enforcers/

Pretty good site for people keeping up on security issues.

[truebrit71]

1. Wouldn't the fourth amendment apply here?

I'm thinking of the right to be 'secure in their persons'...?

This seems to me to be an end-run around constitutional protections...

Thoughts?

[agent46]

3. 4th Amendment? That old thing?

We're talking big business here. Money. The corporate security state is walking the beat on your block now.

[Blue_Tires]

2. It's been around for awhile

I know a local university professor who got an immense grant to refine and improve the technology about a decade ago...

[agent46]

4. Yes been around for awhile

And now it's advanced enough to be man packable and deployable. Next will come automated real time crowd facial recog in every public/private space.

[Blue_Tires]

5. My question is who's getting rich off of developing this stuff?

[agent46]

7. Who got rich

Who got rich off those huge, toxic naked scanners they installed at all the airports after the 9/11 scare? They were designed, tested and ready for mass manufacture within months after the DHS was established.

[geek tragedy]

6. Why do people think you're not supposed to smile

for photo IDs in places like the US and Europe?