While facial recognition technologies are now actively used by states and authorities, this technology also found a place in the war between Ukraine and Russia. US-based startup Clearview told Reuters that Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense started using facial recognition technologies on Saturday.
The facial recognition technology used by Ukraine and developed by Clearview has a frightening size with the data it covers. According to the shared information, the technology contains a total of 2 billion photos only from Russia’s social media platform VKontakte. There are 10 billion photos in total in the database. Yes, the photos are saved directly from the internet sharing, without the consent of the people.
So what will this technology be used for?
According to the shared statements, Ukrainian forces have the opportunity to use Clearview’s facial recognition technology to combat misinformation, identify Russian attackers and identify the victims. However, the CEO of the company shared in his statement that the purpose of Ukraine to use this technology is not clear.
The technology in question eliminates distracting methods such as fingerprinting and comparison, especially in the identification of dead people. In fact, according to the company’s statement, the technology offers successful results even if the percentage damage has occurred. On the other hand, technology brings with it some doubts.
What if a misidentification is made and an innocent person is killed?
Hearing that technology is used in Ukraine, Albert Fox Cahn, director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, pointed out that technology can misidentify people at checkpoints and in a war environment. He emphasized that in such a case, an innocent person could be arrested or lost his life. Cahn concluded by stating that he thinks this possibility is certain:
“We will see well-meaning technology backfire and hurt the people it needs to help.”
Technology is illegal in some countries:
Clearview, which developed the technology, is currently fighting various lawsuits for violating privacy rights by collecting images from the internet. However, the company’s technology is considered illegal in some countries, including the UK and Australia.
Ukraine will not pay any fees for access to facial recognition technology. The technology began to be used along with the company’s proposal.
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