Navigating the Privacy Minefield: Track's Nonbiometric Surveillance

As technology continues to evolve, so do the methods of surveillance and identification. At the end of 2024, fifteen US states enacted laws banning various forms of facial recognition, citing privacy concerns and the unreliability of the technology. Yet, a new player in the field, Veritone (https://www.veritone.com) , has introduced a tool named Track that circumvents these laws by offering a nonbiometric alternative.

According to a report by MIT Technology Review (https://www.technologyreview.com) , Track operates not by recognizing faces but by analyzing other identifying attributes, including clothing, accessories, and body shape. This means that even in states where facial recognition is restricted, law enforcement can still gather information on individuals through a loophole in the legislation. The tool has reportedly attracted around 400 customers, primarily in areas where facial recognition is banned.

Track’s functionality is intriguing. Users can select various attributes from a dropdown menu that includes options like “Accessory,” “Body,” “Footwear,” and “Gender.” Each of these categories contains sub-options that allow for detailed searches. For instance, under “Accessory,” users can filter results to find specific items such as bags or hats. Once the desired attributes are chosen, Track generates images from the reviewed footage, helping users pinpoint the paths of their targets and assemble a profile based on their non-facial features.

However, this method raises significant ethical questions. Critics, including American Civil Liberties Union (https://www.aclu.org) lawyer Nathan Wessler, argue that Track could exacerbate privacy invasions and potential for abuse far beyond what facial recognition technology has already instigated. The risk of misidentifying individuals based on clothing or other attributes is a real concern, especially given the documented instances of wrongful arrests linked to facial recognition failures.

Veritone's CEO has dubbed Track a “Jason Bourne tool,” suggesting it possesses capabilities that could both track suspects and potentially exonerate the wrongly accused. However, the implications of such technology are troubling. By exploiting legal loopholes, Track provides law enforcement with tools that were previously limited by legislation aimed at protecting civil liberties.

As we advance into this new era of surveillance technology, it is essential to engage in discussions about the balance between security and privacy. The existence of tools like Track indicates a shift in how we might view privacy in the digital age. As more companies innovate in this space, the need for robust regulations becomes increasingly apparent.

Cited: https://futurism.com/track-facial-recognition-ai-tool