The introduction of fixed facial recognition cameras seeks to reduce crimes in some of the hidden areas in society. In China, the use of the new technology has led to the apprehension of fugitives who were involved in major crimes. Also, the technology helped in identifying individuals who were using other people’s documents to travel (Fu, 2018). Despite the association of facial recognition cameras with reduced crime rates and enhance public safety, the technology is plagued with ethical issues that would reduce its adoption. For example, the Chinese government would use technology to threaten individuals protecting the rights of the citizens, such as petitioners and human rights activists. Besides, the technology could worsen issues of racial discrimination since it is easier to recognize people's skin color using glasses.
Ethical issues are also associated with the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in the streets. ALPRs are high-speed cameras controlled by computer cameras mounted on street poles, street lights, overpasses, mobile trailers, or police cars. The ALPRs capture vehicle license plates and also include the location, date, and time when it happened. This data is then sent to a central server. The benefits associated with the use of ALPRs include tracing the vehicle's past activities, determining whether a vehicle was involved in crime, identifying vehicle travel patterns, and discovering vehicles involved with the same crimes (Electronic Frontier Foundation, nd). Also, the information can be used to target drivers who visit specific areas such as hospitals, immigration clinics, gun shops, religious buildings, and protests. However, the use of the ALPRs raises ethical issues since law enforcement agencies can share the vehicle's information with third-party agencies. Besides, the use of the ALPRs raises concerns over the extent to which the government can survey civilians. For example, while drivers are required to have a license plate, most individuals are not aware that it is a surveillance tool. Besides, most of the drivers are not involved in criminal activities.
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The Terrogence Compliance monitoring system also raises some ethical issues. On the one hand, the technology is beneficial since it uses expertise knowledge in sourcing, analyzing, and evaluating data (Terrogence, nd). This information can be used to determine the patterns of terrorism, establish the weapons used and their locations of operation. However, this system can lead to increased cases of racial discrimination against targeted minority groups.
References
Electronic Frontier Foundation. (nd). Street-level surveillance. https://www.eff.org/pages/automated-license-plate-readers-alpr
Fu, B. (February 9, 2018). Police in China are wearing facial recognition glasses. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/police-china-wearing-facial-recognition-glasses/story?id=52931801
Terrogence. (nd). Regulatory compliance monitoring. https://www.terrogence.com/capabilities/reulatory-compliance-monitoring/
