FBI's Next Generation Identification
The FBI ramps up the Next Generation Identification (NGI) and will begin rolling out it as early as this January.
NGI is the successor of the IAFIS criminal and civil fingerprint database. It expands the IAFIS to include mulftimodal biometric identifiers such as iris scans, palm print, voice data and photos. The FBI is planning to introduce each of these capabilities in pahases over the next two and a half years. It will start with face recognition in 4 US states (Michigan, Washington, Florida and Nord-Carolina).
IAFIS is already the largest biometric database over the world. The combined number of criminal and non-criminal records cover close to 1/3 of the population of the United States. When NGI allows photographs and other biometric identifiers, expands the number of records and offers sophisticated search tools, it will have an unprecedented impact on Americans' privacy interests. (EFF)
The biggest change in NGI will be the addition of non-criminal photos to the database. NGI will allow unlimited submission of photos and types of photos. Sources may be:
- Cameras already used by police departments, body mountes cameras, smartphone apps of MORIS (Mobile Offender Recognition and Information System) or flying cameras.
- Private security cameras in areas like Lower Manhatten.
- Employers may be forced to submit a photo to the FBI in case of apply for job which requires background check.
- Facebook may became a "honeypot" of the FBI.
One of the FBI’s goals for NGI is to be able to track people as they move from one location to another. This tracking is not only releated to criminals and will not start with the rolling out of NGI, it is already running. Wired’s Danger Room blog reported on the FBI’s efforts to track Muslims in the United States. More information about this tracking were released in response to ACLU Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
INDECT is a research project of the European Union with nearly the same goals like FBI’s Next Generation Identification. EU funding "Orwellian" artificial intelligence plan to monitor public for "abnormal behaviour". It is part of the 7. Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2007–2013). Information about the research results are censored because of homeland security interests.
