New York transit authority facial recognition deployment rolls out amid criticism

New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has begun testing facial recognition technology that can identify drivers and passengers on cameras at some bridges and tunnels, the Rockland/Westchester Journal News reports.

The MTA declined to identify the company providing the technology, but privacy advocates including the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) are not waiting to criticize the project.

“These systems allow for a continuous, real-time scanning of people’s identities and location tracking,” says NYCLU technologist Daniel Schwarz. “It really would be detrimental to our civil rights and liberties as it would continuously know where people are moving.”

Facial recognition cameras have been deployed at Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, and the Queens-Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels, and will soon be deployed at the Throgs Neck and Bronx-Whitestone bridges, according to an MTA spokesperson.

Facial recognition is only one of the surveillance technologies being deployed in the city. The Journal News reports that license plate readers are in heavy use by the MTA and state police, while an array of “Forward Looking Infrared Radar” cameras have been installed on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

The MTA declined to share what company is providing the facial recognition technology, and Director of Communications Jon Weinstein emphasized the limited nature of the deployment.

“We’re testing this emerging technology as a way to enhance security at MTA crossings but are only in the proof of concept phase and, as such, no data whatsoever is being shared with law enforcement or anyone outside of the people involved with the pilot,” Weinstein said. “Our priority is balancing public safety with civil liberties — which are equally paramount.”

State Assembly member Tom Abinanti has submitted legislation to bar the storage of data gathered in public spaces by government agencies, according to the report.

“The government should not be spying on its citizens,” Abinanti said. “If you want to use it to track gunrunners, then get a court order. There needs to be some accountability.”

He also expresses concern that purposes and procedures have not been established for the technology’s use.

“Are they going to use facial recognition for speeding tickets?” Abinanti asked. “If two people look alike and the wrong one gets the ticket what do you do?”

The facial recognition trial is expected to include all seven NYC toll bridges, and the New York Post reported in July that the system is attempting to match acquired images against a database of wanted criminals, parole violators, and suspects.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  criminal ID  |  facial recognition  |  privacy  |  surveillance