LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska wants two Nebraska law enforcement agencies to suspend the use of facial recognition technology in their investigations until lawmakers and the public can weigh in on the practice.
A recent report from Georgetown University about the technology’s use includes the Lincoln Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol. The two agencies access the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles’ system for facial recognition.
The ACLU of Nebraska says more public vetting is needed to prevent misuse and abuse of the technology.
Lincoln public safety director Tom Casady says facial recognition technology is an efficient tool for identity theft investigations, and there are restrictions in place to allow its use by only a few investigators from each law enforcement agency.
The state patrol says it’s reviewing the university’s report.