Police Relied on Hidden Technology and Put the Wrong Person in Jail: An Opinion Piece
On the Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving, Randal Quran Reid was pulled over on suspicion of theft. A police officer approached his vehicle and asked for his driver’s license. Mr. Reid had left it at home, but he volunteered his name. After asking Mr. Reid if he had any weapons, the officer told him to step out of the car and handcuffed him with the help of two other officers who had arrived. This incident brings into question the use of unregulated and hidden technologies by law enforcement agencies across the country.
Facial recognition technology was used to identify Mr. Reid as a suspect in a theft of designer purses, but none of the documents used to arrest him disclosed that. The case eventually fell apart and the warrants were recalled, but only after Mr. Reid spent six days in jail and missed a week of work. This wrongful arrest appears to be the result of a cascade of technologies, beginning with a bad facial recognition match.
In a democratic society, the use of tools by law enforcement agencies to police us should be transparent. The lack of transparency and regulation in these technologies is troubling. Facial recognition technology can make it far too easy to apprehend the wrong person for a crime. Mr. Reid’s case is not unique. According to legal experts and public defenders, this is a typical practice. The police do not disclose the use of technology and the reasons for the arrest.
The use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies has been criticized by civil rights groups and lawmakers. It’s been reported that Clearview AI, a facial recognition firm, has a contract with over 600 law enforcement agencies across the country. The company has been sued for violating privacy laws and has promised to stop selling its software to private companies.
Advanced technology is shaping law enforcement agencies across the country. But it’s critical to have regulations in place to ensure accountability, transparency, and to prevent the wrongful arrest of innocent people. Law enforcement agencies should be required to disclose the use of technology and have written policies and procedures to guide its use.
Related Facts:
– According to a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, facial recognition technology can be particularly inaccurate for people of color and women.
– The New York City Police Department disbanded its facial recognition unit in June 2020 after two decades of using the technology.
– Facial recognition technology has been used to track protesters at demonstrations, raising concerns about privacy and infringing on First Amendment rights.
Key Takeaway:
The lack of regulation and accountability in the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement agencies can lead to the wrongful arrest of innocent people. Transparency and regulation are essential to ensuring the technology is used appropriately, preventing violations of civil rights, and protecting individuals from harm.
Conclusion:
The wrongful arrest of Randal Quran Reid highlights the dangers of relying on unregulated and hidden technologies in law enforcement. The use of facial recognition technology without transparency and accountability can result in the wrongful conviction of innocent people. As technology continues to advance, it’s crucial to establish regulations and policies to ensure the responsible use of these tools.
