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500k facial scans at UK stations yield no arrests, 1 false positive

518 points · 305 comments · ilamont

  1. jwally · · focus · HN ↗
    I was thinking about this with flock cameras the other day...what's our actual ROI? Was the world horrible before and these initiatives are going to close a monster crime gap or is this just a giant fishing expedition ... just because?
    1. themaninthedark · · focus · HN ↗
      Not for fishing, it's a control system.

      Think back to the capital riots/insurrection/what-ever you want to call it; they used similar systems to identify and arrest those participants. Heavily publicize how many people and who; doesn't matter if you a 63yo grandmom or a pastor, we will find you and prosecute. Showing that you are prosecuting the "normal" people is part of it, show that and you make them less likely to show up to the next thing, less likely to provide support.

      The Capital has many cameras owned by the feds, so they could easily do that. Chicago, Atlanta, LA not so much. When anti-ICE action takes place with protestors in black block, going under umbrellas, makes it hard to identify and prove. With strategically placed cameras, you can see what cars came in the area. You get statistical data that shows if they are there normally there. Get enough abnormality and you get enough for a search warrant.

      1. lotsofpulp · · focus · HN ↗
        Seems strange to use prosecuting a group of people attacking the democratic process, the basis of the country and a clearly treasonous act, as an example of cameras being used to “over” prosecute to intimidate the public.

        Why should it matter if you are a 63yo grandmom or pastor?

        1. unethical_ban · · focus · HN ↗
          I'm of the opinion, consistent with principles of the Founders and at least one Constitutional amendment (or the interpretation of it by millions of people) that the people should have the literal, physical power to overthrow their government. If that becomes physically impossible, there is no remedy for a government that decides to reject democracy and citizens' rights to freedom.

          It happens that the J6 rioters were on the wrong side of truth and history, but I would rather some of them get away with it than live in a perfectly effective panopticon.

          1. zdp7 · · focus · HN ↗
            It isn't an effective panopticon. It can find people who aren't trying to hide. How hard is it going to be to fool if you can subvert it with a few fake plates (even easier to make with those convenient paper plates and it). An effective system wouldn't be creating a bunch of false positives. Luigi Mangione got caught because of one security cam. If he had just changed his look, we would never have got the hostel picture.
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