Over 47 mi may be under facial recognition surveillance in Brazil
A study by the Center for Security and Citizenship Studies (Cesec) shows that 47.6 million Brazilians—a fifth of the population—are potentially under surveillance by facial recognition cameras in the country. The survey was based on the places where this technology is being used.
At least 165 video surveillance projects with facial recognition are underway, the study reports. In the Southeast, 21.7 million people are subject to this technology, compared to 14.1 million in the Northeast.
The survey also shows that the state of Bahia has made the biggest investment in the system (BRL 728 million). Goiás has the highest number of active projects (64), as the policy is being implemented by the municipalities.
According to Study Coordinator Thallita Lima, facial recognition technology needs to be better thought out and regulated before it is used so widely. She questioned the efficiency of the technology, as no practical effects have been found where the system has been implemented.
In addition, the technology is subject to flaws, since it can both fail to recognize suspects and also cast suspicion on innocent people.
“We’ve had studies since 2018 that show that facial recognition technology can be biased, and therefore make minority groups vulnerable, such as black people—black women in particular—and non-binary people. That’s why we need to reflect on what the risks are when we use it so extensively in our urban spaces,” she explained.
The expert also questions implementation expenses, even in small towns that do not have major violence problems.
“Facial recognition technology has not shown to be effective in changing the experience of insecurity in cities, or having an impact on public safety indicators. And it’s really expensive. Is it worth investing in something that we know won’t work?”
