Home » Posts tagged 'clearview ai'
Tag Archives: clearview ai
FOI Documents Confirm RCMP Falsely Denied Using Facial Recognition Software
FOI Documents Confirm RCMP Falsely Denied Using Facial Recognition Software
Its contract with Clearview AI started in October, but the force was still denying using the controversial technology three months later.
The RCMP denied using facial recognition software on Canadians three months after it had entered into a contract with controversial U.S. company Clearview AI, The Tyee has learned.
Documents obtained under a Freedom of Information request show an RCMP employee signed a “Requisition for goods, services and construction” form to fund a one-year contract with Clearview AI that began Oct. 29.
The RCMP refused to say whether it used Clearview AI when asked by The Tyee in January 2020.
And the force went further in an emailed statement in response to questions from the CBC, denying in an emailed statement that it used any facial recognition software.
“The RCMP does not currently use facial recognition software,” it said on Jan. 17. “However, we are aware that some municipal police services in Canada are using it.”The Tyee is supported by readers like you Join us and grow independent media in Canada
In fact, the RCMP’s $5,000 contract with Clearview had begun almost three months earlier.
The FOI documents show the RCMP justified the request based on the software’s successful use by U.S. police agencies.
“Clearview is a facial recognition tool that is currently being used by the child exploitation units at the FBI and Department of Homeland Security because of it’s [sic] advanced abilities,” the employee wrote.
If the request was not approved, the form stated, “Children will continue to be abused and exploited online.”
Despite Denials, RCMP Used Facial Recognition Program for 18 Years
“There will be no one to rescue them because the tool that could have been deployed to save them was not deemed important enough.”
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
Facial-Recognition Company That Worried Privacy Advocates Has Entire Client List Stolen
Facial-Recognition Company That Worried Privacy Advocates Has Entire Client List Stolen
A Manhattan-based facial recognition company that uses artificial intelligence to collect data from unsuspecting social media users has reported that its entire client list has been stolen.
The company, Clearview AI, has developed an app which allows anyone to snap a picture of someone which is then compared to a database of more than 3 billion photos that the company has scraped off Facebook, Venmo, YouTube and other sites, before serving up matches along with links to the sites where the database photos originally appeared.
Clearview AI has partnered with law enforcement agencies around the country, however it was unknown exactly how many or who they were. That may not be the case for much longer, after an intruder “gained unauthorized access” to its customer list – along with data on the number of searches its customers have conducted, as well as how many user accounts have been set up, according to the Daily Beast.
The company raised concerns among privacy advocates after a New York Times article described their work with law enforcement agencies, with over 40 organizations signing a letter calling for an independent watchdog to recommend a ban on government use of facial recognition technology.
The company claims that there was “no compromise of Clearview’s systems or network,” and that the vulnerability has been breached. Specific search histories were not obtained.
“Security is Clearview’s top priority,” said company attorney Tor Ekeland. “Unfortunately, data breaches are part of life in the 21st century. Our servers were never accessed. We patched the flaw, and continue to work to strengthen our security.”
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
