Huge US facial recognition database flawed: audit

The FBI's facial recognition database has more than 400 million pictures to help its criminal investigations, but lacks adequate safeguards for accuracy and privacy protection, a congressional audit has revealed. Totalling 411.9 million images, privacy campaigners have slammed the'unprecedented number of photographs, most of which are of Americans and foreigners who have committed no crimes.' The huge database - which enables investigators to automatically search images for criminal suspects - 'is far greater than had previously been understood' and raises concerns'about the risk of innocent Americans being inadvertently swept up in criminal investigations,' said Senator Al Franken, who requested the study. The FBI's facial recognition database includes some 30 million criminal mugshots and 140 million images from visa applications by foreign nationals The FBI's database includes some 30 million criminal mugshots and 140 million images from visa applications by foreign nationals, the GAO found. It also contains drivers' license pictures from 16 US states and 6.7 million photos from the Defense Department's biometric identification system of individuals detained by US forces abroad, among others.