Anti-Fraud Facial Recognition System Revokes the Wrong Person's License

"...and then DMV officials check drivers’ information to sort it all out".

I don't think this is a problem with the tech. If there's supposed to be human verification of the system's results, what happened here? Humans dropped the ball, not the technology.

-IMP ;) :)

A conversation that takes place sometime in the near future...

Officer looks down from behind the counter at a frustrated man-
"Computer says you don't exist."

"No really, I'm right hear!"

"Interoffice policy memo #285-A3S says that the computer must be right. Therefore, I'm talking to myself and should seek help. If you did exist, you'd have to file with the local magistrate."

"OK, tell me how to file with the magistrate."

"Pretty sure that only "existing" people are allowed to do that. Don't want to waste the Magistrate's time, you know."

This is the problem of our society that accepts software and operating systems into the market, that are not bug free. If the software is close to operational, it is marketed and sold, with the expectation of updates (fixes) coming later. Mean while, if this young man or maybe someone who is working hard for a living and needs his car, has family and children to support is out in the cold, do to buggy, incomplete software. I doubt there be anyone to sue, since this is a state, government system...

Better to let a few guilty people go free, then prosecute an innocent person.

The mentality now days is to catch everyone to the 1/10th percentile, like there is a high score to achieve.

I for one welcome our robot overlords. Can I get my RFID tattoo now or do I have to wait?

@IceMetalPunk,

"If there's supposed to be human verification of the system's results, what happened here? Humans dropped the ball, not the technology."

Yeah... maybe if we paid decent wages to our public workers we might be able to attract competent people.

Nah, much better to get shit service and have lower taxes for "job creating millionaires".

so when i clicked "read full story" on the front page.. Me or none of you got the WHOLE story from the article...

It turned out Gass was flagged because he looks like another driver, not because his image was being used to create a fake identity. His driving privileges were returned but, he alleges in a lawsuit, only after 10 days of bureaucratic wrangling to prove he is who he says he is.

And apparently, he has company. Last year, the facial recognition system picked out more than 1,000 cases that resulted in State Police investigations, officials say. And some of those people are guilty of nothing more than looking like someone else. Not all go through the long process that Gass says he endured, but each must visit the Registry with proof of their identity.

“We send out 1,500 suspension letters every day,’’ said Registrar Rachel Kaprielian, who says the system has been a powerful weapon to fight identity fraud since it was installed in 2006 but that it is not without problems. “There are mistakes that can be made.’’

Neither the Registry nor State Police keep tabs on the number of people wrongly tagged by the system. But Gass estimates in his lawsuit that hundreds might have received revocation notices in error since the system was installed.

“Theoretically this can happen again, depending on the whims of the computer,’’ said his lawyer, William Spallina

cheers, eh

@ptv83, I appreciate the extra information you provide. Thanks for going the extra mile.

It's gonna suck being a twin...

regardless if you support or oppose this technology, I think we all can agree that this man (and others) were found guilty of fraud/identity theft WITHOUT due process. So much for being innocent until proven guilty.

Instead of licenses being revoked/suspended they should be placed on a "questionable list", a letter should be sent to the person with an order for court appearance (at the person's convenience within 30 days of notice). During the appearance, the COURT must prove that the license is fake; else the license is removed from the "questionable list" and the person is not charged with any crime & fees.

False positives and false negatives are present in every security system -- so this is not surprising. The test is not IF systems fail, but how frequently they do.

But, the license issue is something that is becoming a major deal these days. Since driving is a privilege, revoking licenses is often done without due process. I don't agree with this policy, but it happens. Maybe cases like this will have some impact.

So, it comes down to the fact that the real danger in all of these systems is in how the results will be applied. IM(NS)HO, it is more effective to fight against what will be done with results than it is to fight against the systems. With the exception of red light cams, it is difficult to make a case against using most of these systems.

Humanity @ it's best.

May I see your IDEA? Sorry it's an algorythmic flaw in the system, you surely know that I mean ID.