S.T.O.P. Condemns Clearview AI ‘Mask Removal’ Facial Recognition Software

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns Clearview AI ‘Mask Removal’ Facial Recognition Software (NEW YORK, NY, 10/4/2021) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, condemns Clearview AI’s launch of a “mask removal” feature in its controversial facial recognition software. The new software claims to identify individuals who are wearing masks, dramatically increasing the risk of error and bias. Clearview AI already drew international scrutiny for selling its facial recognition software, which scraped billions of photos from the internet without user permission. SEE: Wired - Clearview AI Has New Tools to Identify You in Photos https://www.wired.com/story/clearview-ai-new-tools-identify-you-photos/ “Mask removal software is pseudoscience, and it’s going to get people hurt,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “Facial recognition technology was already biased and error prone, but this will only make things worse. By reducing the visible area of the face, facial recognition software has fewer datapoints to use in determining your identity. The fewer datapoints, the higher the chance of error. When other companies have attempted this, it’s only increased the risk of error and false arrest.” Earlier this year, the New York civil rights group joined Amnesty International in launching a global facial recognition campaign: Ban the Scan. The campaign supports local facial recognition legislation in New York and other cities, helping activists outlaw government use of facial recognition. S.T.O.P. renewed its call on the New York City Council and state legislature to institute a wholesale ban on government use of facial recognition software. SEE: Human rights group urges New York to ban police use of facial recognition https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/25/new-york-facial-recognition-technology-police The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn;. Copyright © 2019 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.