Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are using facial recognition software to determine immigration status, even on U.S. citizens, without consent. This technology, such as the app Mobile Fortify, scans faces in public, comparing them against databases and potentially overriding official documentation. Internal documents show that the data collected, including images of U.S. citizens, is stored for years. Furthermore, officials have been known to trust the app’s results over a person’s government documents.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding its facial biometric program to include photographs of Canadians entering and exiting the country at all points of entry. This expansion follows the current practice of photographing arriving international passengers at airports and is set to be mandatory for non-U.S. citizens, including Canadians, starting December 26th. The program aims to ensure accurate records, enhance security, and enforce immigration laws, while also helping to track those who overstay their visas. However, privacy concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the potential for misuse of collected data.
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Japan will not recognise a Palestinian state for now, and that’s the news according to the Asahi newspaper. It seems that the Land of the Rising Sun is taking a wait-and-see approach, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba even plans to skip a meeting on the subject during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. It’s worth noting that this position puts Japan in a bit of a different camp compared to some of its allies, especially those in the Group of Seven.
Japan’s hesitance places it alongside the United States, Israel’s closest ally, in the non-recognition corner. This stance seems to reflect a more cautious approach, echoing concerns voiced by officials from Germany and Italy, who apparently believe immediate recognition could be “counterproductive.”… Continue reading
During a recent meeting in Jerusalem, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen discussed the recognition of Palestine with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar. Sa’ar expressed concerns that establishing a Palestinian state would compromise Israel’s security, therefore, Denmark is not prepared to recognize Palestine. Furthermore, the article emphasizes that Israel does not possess the authority to veto the recognition of Palestine by other nations.
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H.R.3782 aims to prohibit the Federal Government from utilizing facial recognition technology for identity verification, among other purposes. This bill sparks considerable debate, highlighting the complexities of balancing technological advancement with individual privacy concerns. The existing use of facial recognition by agencies like the IRS, through platforms such as ID.me, underscores the urgency behind such legislative efforts.
The bill’s focus on identity verification seems, at first glance, relatively straightforward. However, concerns arise regarding the vagueness of the “other purposes” clause, leaving room for ambiguity and potential loopholes. The lack of specificity invites criticism and raises questions about the bill’s overall scope and effectiveness.… Continue reading
LaDonna Crutchfield filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest based on flawed facial recognition technology. Police, using a partial license plate, connected Crutchfield to an attempted murder investigation despite discrepancies in age and height between her and the actual suspect. The lawsuit claims the arresting officers failed to conduct basic investigative steps that could have readily exonerated Crutchfield, leading to her detainment, fingerprinting, and DNA collection. The Detroit Police Department denies using facial recognition but admits insufficient investigation led to the erroneous arrest.
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Russia using facial recognition technology to detain attendees of Alexei Navalny’s funeral is a sinister reminder of the lengths that authoritarian regimes will go to silence dissent and crush opposition. The fact that individuals were identified and apprehended based on surveillance footage is a chilling example of the erosion of personal freedoms and privacy in the name of state control.
The funeral attendees were targeted for simply expressing their grief and solidarity with Navalny, a courageous figure who stood up against corruption and tyranny in Russia. To think that attending a funeral can lead to detainment and potential persecution is a stark reality that those living under repressive regimes face on a daily basis.… Continue reading
ICE’s Facial Recognition App Scans US Citizens, Ignores Proof of Citizenship
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are using facial recognition software to determine immigration status, even on U.S. citizens, without consent. This technology, such as the app Mobile Fortify, scans faces in public, comparing them against databases and potentially overriding official documentation. Internal documents show that the data collected, including images of U.S. citizens, is stored for years. Furthermore, officials have been known to trust the app’s results over a person’s government documents.
Read More
US to Photograph Canadian Travelers at Land Borders: Reactions and Concerns
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding its facial biometric program to include photographs of Canadians entering and exiting the country at all points of entry. This expansion follows the current practice of photographing arriving international passengers at airports and is set to be mandatory for non-U.S. citizens, including Canadians, starting December 26th. The program aims to ensure accurate records, enhance security, and enforce immigration laws, while also helping to track those who overstay their visas. However, privacy concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the potential for misuse of collected data.
Read More
Japan Won’t Recognize Palestinian State: Report
Japan will not recognise a Palestinian state for now, and that’s the news according to the Asahi newspaper. It seems that the Land of the Rising Sun is taking a wait-and-see approach, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba even plans to skip a meeting on the subject during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. It’s worth noting that this position puts Japan in a bit of a different camp compared to some of its allies, especially those in the Group of Seven.
Japan’s hesitance places it alongside the United States, Israel’s closest ally, in the non-recognition corner. This stance seems to reflect a more cautious approach, echoing concerns voiced by officials from Germany and Italy, who apparently believe immediate recognition could be “counterproductive.”… Continue reading
Denmark’s Palestine Stance: No Recognition Yet, Israel Lacks Veto Power
During a recent meeting in Jerusalem, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen discussed the recognition of Palestine with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar. Sa’ar expressed concerns that establishing a Palestinian state would compromise Israel’s security, therefore, Denmark is not prepared to recognize Palestine. Furthermore, the article emphasizes that Israel does not possess the authority to veto the recognition of Palestine by other nations.
Read More
Federal Bill Seeks to Ban Government Use of Facial Recognition
H.R.3782 aims to prohibit the Federal Government from utilizing facial recognition technology for identity verification, among other purposes. This bill sparks considerable debate, highlighting the complexities of balancing technological advancement with individual privacy concerns. The existing use of facial recognition by agencies like the IRS, through platforms such as ID.me, underscores the urgency behind such legislative efforts.
The bill’s focus on identity verification seems, at first glance, relatively straightforward. However, concerns arise regarding the vagueness of the “other purposes” clause, leaving room for ambiguity and potential loopholes. The lack of specificity invites criticism and raises questions about the bill’s overall scope and effectiveness.… Continue reading
Detroit Woman Sues Police Over Faulty Facial Recognition Arrest
LaDonna Crutchfield filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest based on flawed facial recognition technology. Police, using a partial license plate, connected Crutchfield to an attempted murder investigation despite discrepancies in age and height between her and the actual suspect. The lawsuit claims the arresting officers failed to conduct basic investigative steps that could have readily exonerated Crutchfield, leading to her detainment, fingerprinting, and DNA collection. The Detroit Police Department denies using facial recognition but admits insufficient investigation led to the erroneous arrest.
Read More
Russia uses facial recognition to detain Navalny funeral attendees
Russia using facial recognition technology to detain attendees of Alexei Navalny’s funeral is a sinister reminder of the lengths that authoritarian regimes will go to silence dissent and crush opposition. The fact that individuals were identified and apprehended based on surveillance footage is a chilling example of the erosion of personal freedoms and privacy in the name of state control.
The funeral attendees were targeted for simply expressing their grief and solidarity with Navalny, a courageous figure who stood up against corruption and tyranny in Russia. To think that attending a funeral can lead to detainment and potential persecution is a stark reality that those living under repressive regimes face on a daily basis.… Continue reading