Ohio Attorney General: State secretly uploaded all drivers license photos into police database

[kpete]

At a press conference today, Attorney General Mike DeWine informed Ohio citizens that a powerful facial recognition system with access to driver’s licenses photographs and mug shots went live on June 2.

In exactly what capacity it went live, however, isn’t entirely clear. Law enforcement officers and officials in DeWine’s office disagree about whether system was in beta testing or fully launched. What is known is that since June 2, police officers have performed 2,600 searches using the new database feature, which scans driver’s license photographs and police mug shots and compares them to any image, be it a photograph or a still-frame from a surveillance camera.

The system is designed to take advantage of the increasing prevalence of security cameras. In Cincinnati alone, police already have access to 118 security cameras, but anticipate having access to over 1,000 by the end of 2014. That number doesn’t include footage from cameras that law enforcement can acquire when private businesses cooperate in investigations. Anyone with access to the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway can potentially identify and acquire personal information — including home addresses or driver’s license and social security numbers of strangers.

Last week, DeWine informed The Enquirer that his office didn’t believe the public needed to be informed of the system’s launch because 26 other states already have such databases in operation. But now, nearly two months after its launch, he is forming an advisory panel of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement representatives to create rules that will prevent privacy abuses.



more:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/26/ohio-attorney-general-state-secretly-uploaded-all-drivers-license-photos-into-police-database/

[atreides1]

1. Smaller Government, huh?

More like Big Brother!

[pscot]

2. Why stop with drivers licenses

They could scan in all the photos from security cameras too. Apparently the distance between your pupils and angle from the corner of your eye to the corner of your mouth can be used to ID you. Wrap around shades and mustaches will probably have to be outlawed.

[meow2u3]

3. WTH is it with these pseudo-conservative teabagger fascists?

They preach small government, then secretly pry into our private lives as if they were entitled to do so--then they use the data they secretly get on us against us. All in the name of less government.

[Orrex]

4. Seems like something that they could have been doing for years anyway

the DMV keeps pics on file, so why would anyone think that they wouldn't be doing this?

It's acutely distasteful, I agree, but it seems basically inevitable.

[pipoman]

5. Oh Really?

"an advisory panel of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement representatives"

So he's inviting the very people most likely to violate civil rights to determine if this will violate people's rights...how about inviting the ACLU? or Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association?

FFS

[treestar]

6. The government had all those photos regardless

It's two departments of the same government having access to the government information.

This sounds like it could prevent false accusations or mistaken ones, if anything.

[hobbit709]

7. RIIGHT.