FBI has 411 million photos in its facial recognition system, and a federal watchdog isn't happy

The FBI has amassed more than 411 million photos as part of its vast facial recognition database, according to a government watchdog -- which in a new report criticized the system for its lack of safeguards and protections.

That includes millions of individuals' driving license photos, as well as photos of foreigners applying for visas, and criminal mugshots.

FBI has 411 million photos in its facial recognition system, and a federal watchdog isn't happy

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report see PDF here on their issues with it.

So, what's the big deal?

In other words, the system as it stands opens up the possibility of automating a process of picking out faces that have nothing to do with an investigation -- opening up the likelihood that innocent people may be drawn up as suspects in ongoing criminal matters.

Seems like this would help make a database, talked about politically for all citizens, even easier. The question remains on if it's going to make a suspect out of innocent people.

a reply to: dreamingawake

It is disgusting and I am sure that whatever they admit to is only the tip of the iceberg. I laugh every time I see those Ancestry Ads to send in your DNA and pay for the privileged of having you DNA cataloged and filed by these Government alphabet agencies. I am tired of them overstepping their bounds and frankly most of them shouldn't even exist.

Good find, I am just in a lousy mood from the Government doing everything they can to destroy the freedoms of this country. I can't believe 'We the People' are so helpless against these scumbags.

originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: dreamingawake

It is disgusting and I am sure that whatever they admit to is only the tip of the iceberg. I laugh every time I see those Ancestry Ads to send in your DNA and pay for the privileged of having you DNA cataloged and filed by these Government alphabet agencies. I am tired of them overstepping their bounds and frankly most of them shouldn't even exist.

Good find, I am just in a lousy mood from the Government doing everything they can to destroy the freedoms of this country. I can't believe 'We the People' are so helpless against these scumbags.

Thanks for the reply. it's pretty damn sad and concerning. Unfortunately, this may even be ramped up now as a proposed solution to terror but by observation of how the current tragedy developed, even prior to the shooting, one hand doesn't seem to be knowing what the other is doing.

"Facebook buys Israeli facial recognition firm Face.com"

Social networking giant Facebook has decided to buy an Israeli startup specialising in facial recognition technology - Face.com.

The firm already provides software that allows Facebook's members to identify and tag photos of their friends. The terms of the deal are not known, but Reuters quotes estimates of $55-60m (£35-38m).

Tagging is a popular feature on Facebook, but privacy advocates have raised concerns about the technology.

Source-BBC
Sharing this in relation to the news of the FBI database and if it has any potential correlation in the future with FB's newly acquired technology.

note to self.....grow full beard as fast as ya can.....ok

start wearing friggin mascara , too...that's the ticket...

any body know where to get those red nose things been on tv?...why, i'll walk right by a mother humper

Isn't that what facebook is for?

So one hundred million of those faces are of foreigners? Why am I not surprised?

That's roughly 17% of the world's people.

It sickens me that we're all just hanging out being mildly annoyed by what is obviously a race to totalitarianism.

a reply to: GBP/JPY

That won’t stop biometric profiling.

Just wondering, though... 411m photos doesn’t mean 411m people. They probably have a few dozen of me.

originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: dreamingawake

It is disgusting and I am sure that whatever they admit to is only the tip of the iceberg. I laugh every time I see those Ancestry Ads to send in your DNA and pay for the privileged of having you DNA cataloged and filed by these Government alphabet agencies. I am tired of them overstepping their bounds and frankly most of them shouldn't even exist.

Good find, I am just in a lousy mood from the Government doing everything they can to destroy the freedoms of this country. I can't believe 'We the People' are so helpless against these scumbags.

Well said. My sentiments exactly. Me fears the future as we keep heading down this dark road.

the same people upset about it, are the same whom allowed it to become what it is today.

its not like the patriots werent giving total control an administration [or two] ago.

bills allowing this all had to be passed, correct?

dont blame the fbi.

a reply to: dreamingawake


They don't have the manpower to track ONE guy properly.

a reply to: odzeandennz

Yea the republicans started it and when the dems had the opportunity and the numbers in the house and senate with a democratic president they did... nothing to fix the mistakes made after 9/11.

They are just as culpable at this point..

a reply to: dreamingawake

I'm not quite sure how this is new news.
I pretty much assumed for years that all of our drivers license pictures were collected someplace for this purpose.

If crime was actually only crime, and not all this war on drugs crap, then i'd be all for it. i mean, who would argue that we'd be better off not having to deal with rapists, murderers, and violence psychopaths? But when you have on the lawbooks all manner of non criminal behaviors, it makes this more like an all seeing mommy.

i don't need a mommy. thanks. And if it means that people will have to continue being raped and murdered...so be it. Its a risk we all will partake in. but i don't be hawked or lorded over.

The Snapchat filters!

There is no stopping this train without a revolt. That wont happen and there is no middle ground. Only question is when is arrival? By 2020 i reckon.

originally posted by: GBP/JPY
note to self.....grow full beard as fast as ya can.....ok

start wearing friggin mascara , too...that's the ticket...

any body know where to get those red nose things been on tv?...why, i'll walk right by a mother humper

None of those fool facial recognition, you can get some special types of glasses that do though, or wear a strong enough infrared LED on your face.

Get ready to be electro-boned

Information is power, information is electric, The electric is gated by the fcc now.(so you don't get cheated on an imaginary bandwidth throttling)

Add to that the data dragnets like utah collecting all info from the main trunks of the internet. Included private, encrypted, for later dissecting.

Add to that super spy telemetry, microphone, camera, gps, cell gps, data collection "cell phones", smart devices transmitting to overseas unencrypted.

Throw in a few highway cams with facial recognition, maybe one on every corner.

It is an unreal amount of data to process, unless you have a AI computer.

BAM, you've been Oxycleaned

Maybe I read too much ATS?
...or maybe I don't.


"Electroherded"into our milking stations, if you will.

Good times ahead