Senator fears Clearview AI facial recognition could be used on protesters:
Sen. Edward Markey has raised concerns that police and law enforcement agencies have access to controversial facial recognition app Clearview AI in cities where people are protesting the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died two weeks ago while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
[...] "As demonstrators across the country exercise their First Amendment rights by protesting racial injustice, it is important that law enforcement does not use technological tools to stifle free speech or endanger the public," Markey said in a letter to Clearview AI CEO and co-founder Hoan Ton-That.
The threat of surveillance could also deter people from "speaking out against injustice for fear of being permanently included in law enforcement databases," he said.
Markey, who has previously hammered Clearview AI over its sales to foreign governments, use by domestic law enforcement and use in the COVID-19 pandemic, is now asking the company for a list of law enforcement agencies that have signed new contracts since May 25, 2020.
It's also being asked if search traffic on its database has increased during the past two weeks; whether it considers a law enforcement agency's "history of unlawful or discriminatory policing practices" before selling the technology to them; what process it takes to give away free trials; and whether it will prohibit its technology from being used to identify peaceful protestors.
[...] Ton-That said he will respond to the letter from Markey. "Clearview AI's technology is intended only for after-the-crime investigations, and not as a surveillance tool relating to protests or under any other circumstances," he said in an emailed statement.
Previously:
(2020-06-09) IBM Will No Longer Offer, Develop, or Research Facial Recognition Technology
(Score: 2) by legont on Thursday June 11 2020, @02:40AM (3 children)
Don't forget that the guy was a club bouncer. His job was to intimidate and overpower each and every man, even drunk and drugged. He was supposed to be a killer machine able to take a few. Who new he had weak heart, cancer and basically ruined health from his drug abuse.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 11 2020, @06:23AM
His job was to check your ID and take money at the door, not to be a killing machine.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday June 12 2020, @01:36AM (1 child)
That sounds pretty silly, actually. Dead customers aren't repeat paying customers.
Here's one for you: How many bouncers have you intimidated? One of my favorites, brother in law and I were working together out of town. BIL is rather loud after a couple drinks, and he voices his backwoods opinions for all to hear. A bouncer walked up behind BIL, reaching out to make contact. I looked bouncer in the eye, and said, "Don't you touch that man!" I swear, bouncer put his hands in his pockets! BIL is harmless, just loud. Me? I'm pretty quiet, but that bouncer knew very well that I wasn't harmless!!
Here's another one for you: The best bouncers are those that you don't even notice. If you walk into a crowded bar, and peg the bouncer without even trying, he's a worthless shit who needs to find another line of work. Much like a bodyguard. Blend in, and be part of the crowd, or get out.
(Score: 2) by legont on Friday June 12 2020, @03:32AM
Perhaps our experiences with private security are different, but just this weekend I went to Manhattan and made some nice pictures of the very black private guys protecting Saks Fifth Avenue. No cop of the 4 accused would be able even to put his knee on their necks - too thick. Got forgive to meet one on drugs.
Anyway, I have been to many clubs in my time and trust me - you don't want to argue with bouncers. One has to see once what's left from a huge drunk American after Thai "doormen" half his side work on him for less than a minute. Hint - all three weeks in a hospital.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.