The following report is by Biometric Update:
Ireland is currently debating the Garda Síochána (Digital Management and Facial Recognition Technology) Bill 2023 which would allow facial recognition to be used retrospectively to search through images.
The tender, published on Tuesday, seeks recommendations on body-worn camera systems and the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS), used for collecting and analyzing footage obtained by the cameras, including retrospective facial recognition.
The DEMS system also plans to integrate or replace existing CCTV surveillance systems.
While [body-worn camera] footage is expected to be relatively small in volume and not a significant source for retrospective [facial recognition technology], other CCTV evidence collected and stored on DEMS may be.
The document explains.
The police say they expect the system to cost around 10 million euros (approximately US$10.7 million) over five years. The body-worn cameras will first be introduced as a pilot in mid-2024, with full roll-out expected in 2025.
Plans to introduce them, however, have raised concerns among civil rights organizations and lawmakers. Ireland’s official police watchdog, the Garda Síochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), warned in June that they will need significant funds in order to track potential abuse of facial recognition technology and body-worn cameras by the police.
In June, Justice Minister Helen McEntee agreed to compromise with Green Party coalition partners which argued that face biometrics regulation should be separated from laws governing body-worn cameras. The current body cam procurement is run under the legislative basis of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 which does not include a provision for the use of facial recognition technology. The government expects to finalize the facial recognition bill by the end of the year.
The Irish police force has been attempting to quell suspicions that the body cams would be used for mass surveillance and profiling. The draft bill promises to use the technology only in serious crime investigations while the police say their cameras will only be switched on in specific circumstances.
The procurement documents also highlight that the police have no plans to use live facial recognition on body-worn cameras.
One of our core principles is that every decision that could impact on a person is made by accountable, identifiable Garda personnel. There is no question of autonomous machine decision making, ever.
Andrew O Sullivan, chief information officer for An Garda Síochána, says in a release.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
“Ever,” huh? Yeah right, I think we all can agree and know that adaptive AI will be in control of these systems in the not so distant future.
For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
Jeremiah 5:26
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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The world is quickly becoming very much like China, and for little wonder. When that country can buy up land in foreign countries, it pretty much implies ownership of that country. If given enough time, 500 million people would be expected to learn Mandarin in the near future. The rest will be “scrubbed” or Raptured; no need to worry!