THE POWER OF FACIAL RECOGNITION IN U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
In an era of evolving threats and complex security challenges, the U.S. Federal government can leverage cutting-edge technology to maintain the safety and security of the United States on both foreign and domestic fronts. Facial recognition technology can be a versatile tool within the U.S. Federal government, playing a pivotal role in bolstering impact within counter narcotics, financial investigations, and human trafficking.
THE CHALLENGES WITHOUT FACIAL RECOGNITION
LEGACY IDENTIFICATION
Existing databases currently in use by U.S. agencies often contain images of individuals who were previously detained or identified through other sources. However, these datasets frequently fall short when addressing persons of interest or unknown witnesses for the first time.
LIMITATIONS TO OSINT TRADECRAFT
Current OSINT tools available to military and/or Intelligence Community personnel collect face image data on potential threats or individuals of interest. Without a facial recognition tool, personnel cannot rapidly analyze vast amounts of face image data, making it a challenge to identify high-value targets swiftly and accurately.
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INEFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE
Advances in technology created rapid channels by which usable intelligence can now be collected. However, current techniques for analyzing that information have limitations in speed, scale, accuracy, and user interface, thus creating a challenge for analysts to easily and rapidly identify individuals.
THE BENEFITS OF FACIAL RECOGNITION IN THE U.S. FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY
INCREASE EFFICIENCY IN IDENTIFICATION
Facial recognition technology helps increase efficiency in identification of unknown individuals by using a “human-in-the-loop” to assess potential threats across the spectrum. Such uses may include target identification / confirmation, base defense / force protection, peacekeeping operations, and full combat situations.
VERSATILITY OF INFORMATION
Clearview AI’s database and capabilities can be used for many investigative purposes. By using AI-powered facial recognition alongside a database of publicly available images, Clearview AI can instantly enhance scale and speed, meeting the specific needs of an investigation. Additional tools within the application allow for frameworks to be constructed using your own means.
ENHANCED OSINT & TRADITIONAL INTELLIGENCE GATHERING
Automated data analysis through facial recognition technology empowers U.S. federal government agencies to search vast amounts of information on individuals of interest. From leveraging facial data collected from Publicly Available Information (PAI) sources, Clearview AI can increase an analyst’s speed and scale, whether they are sitting at a desk or mobile in an operational setting, and offer access to investigative leads that no other system can reveal.
ENHANCED PROTECTION FOR SENSITIVE OPERATIONS
Facial recognition helps identify the online exposure of Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) personnel. By discovering unknown online photos of personnel deployed in sensitive operations, these operators can remove and/or mitigate their presence on the open internet, protecting their identity for successful mission completion.
INITIAL IDENTIFICATION
Access to OSINT provides Clearview AI users an unprecedented ability to identify individuals even when there is little to no prior information available in established databases. Clearview AI not only helps unveil contextual information to help identify first-time perpetrators, but it can also aid efforts to locate victims of crimes or missing persons with no documentation in existing systems.
REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS
Facial Recognition Technology is used by the federal government for various applications, playing a pivotal role in enhancing law enforcement efforts to combat a wide range of crimes.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Gather information about specific cyber threats, actors, or systems by analyzing intelligence requirements, help identify potential targets, and prioritize them based on their importance to national security or other objectives.
BASE SECURITY / FORCE PROTECTION
Reinforce existing security measures by using on-site identity verification for those entering and exiting government facilities, proactively through entrance terminals or retroactively through CCTV analysis.
COUNTER NARCOTICS
Clearview AI’s technology helps the user fulfill the varying needs of narcotics investigations by providing a deeper understanding of known and unknown targets, as well as supporting identity management concerns for agents in the field.
FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS
Simplify complex systems of monetary fraud by gathering context to better bridge information gaps between persons, institutions, or organizations of interest.
VICTIM IDENTIFICATION
Clearview AI’s technology improves the ability to identify individuals, including those with no prior criminal record, thereby aiding in the initiation of investigations by identifying victims or potential witnesses in human trafficking, child exploitation, and missing or unidentified deceased persons cases.
UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS
Significantly enhance the ability to discover images of a clandestine asset before field deployment from billions of publicly sourced images within Clearview AI’s database. This technology provides a more effective means to scrub the internet for an undercover asset's true identity, uncovering previously unknown images to the organization.
ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBLE USE
AUDIT LOG & ADMINISTRATIVE ACCESS
The requirement for agencies to appoint administrators who have access to comprehensive search histories serves as an additional layer of accountability, ensuring that searches are conducted in accordance with established protocols and standards. This measure enhances transparency and helps maintain public trust in the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies.
CASE NUMBER & CRIME TYPE REQUIRED BEFORE SEARCH
Implementing a requirement for a case number and crime type before conducting each search not only enhances auditing capabilities but also streamlines the process, saving valuable time for law enforcement personnel. Additionally, it facilitates straightforward report generation, ensuring that searches are conducted with clear investigative objectives in mind.
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HARDENED CYBERSECURITY
Clearview AI prioritizes security by implementing access controls based on the principle of least privilege, maintaining compliance with regulations such as SOC 2 and data privacy laws, and conducting annual penetration testing to ensure product security. Clearview AI also encrypts customer data at rest and during transit, employs endpoint protection measures, and provides comprehensive security education and training to employees, including threat briefings and secure coding practices.
GENERATING REPORTS FOR HELP WITH COMPLYING WITH THE GAO
The availability of easily generated reports enables agencies to gain insights into their usage patterns, facilitating informed decision-making and optimization of resources. Additionally, the feature allowing exportation of case details in PDF format, including associated images and links, enhances documentation and collaboration among stakeholders involved in ongoing investigations.
FACIAL RECOGNITION RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO)
As of March 2024, the GAO published 4 reports on Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) use by the U.S. Government:
This report focuses on the use of FRT by federal law enforcement agencies, including:
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How federal agencies implement training and policies related to FRT use, especially regarding civil liberties and privacy
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FRT use in criminal investigations
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Training requirements for FRT use
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Privacy considerations and impact of FRT on civil rights and civil liberties
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Steps agencies take to address privacy requirements
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Development of agency policies specific to governing FRT
FACIAL RECOGNITION ACCURACY TESTING BY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST)
Facial recognition technology has faced persistent criticism for alleged inaccuracies and biases, particularly racial and demographic bias. However, advancements have rendered FRT more accurate and sophisticated than the human eye by training on diverse datasets. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), renowned for its rigorous facial recognition evaluations, tests over 650 algorithms, revealing that top performers boast over 99% accuracy in matching photos out of large lineups. And contrary to misconceptions, NIST's evaluations demonstrate minimal demographic bias in top algorithms, with Clearview AI’s algorithm achieving over 99% accuracy across all demographics.
Clearview AI is a leading facial recognition technology in the U.S. for its performance in accurately matching mugshot photos (99.85% with a 12 million photo sample), VISA borders photos (99.86% with a 1.6 million photo sample), VISA photos (99.81%), and border photos (99.42%). While acknowledging the need for regulation and ethical deployment, proponents argue for FRT's life saving potential as cited by law enforcement in many cases of financial crimes, child exploitation rescue, and community crime prevention. As discussions around FRT evolve, informed decisions based on scientific evidence and accurate understanding of technology capabilities are crucial.
RESOURCES
Clearview AI supports the use of facial recognition technology in law enforcement with proper safeguards, advocating for accuracy, non-discrimination, and privacy protections, as evidenced by NIST evaluations.1 They argue that broader datasets improve accuracy and reduce bias, enabling quicker identification of suspects and victims. Public opinion and case studies support the responsible use of facial recognition technology, emphasizing its benefits in solving crimes and rescuing victims, while also highlighting the importance of adhering to established civil liberty protection principles and requirements for technology providers.
OUR COMMITMENT TO ETHICAL & RESPONSIBLE USE
At Clearview AI, we are committed to promoting the responsible, lawful use of our technology, while harnessing its power to enhance defense and national security. Our technology is built to be accurate and unbiased, to facilitate oversight and responsible use, and to adhere to all relevant laws and regulations.
Clearview AI is a game-changer in the realm of defense and national security. It not only addresses the challenges faced without it, but offers numerous benefits that can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of intelligence agencies. By embracing this technology responsibly, we can create safer communities and a more secure future.
Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can help enhance national security and defense. Together, we can build a safer and more secure world for all.
