Share this article
Latest news
With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low
Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app
Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities
Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount
Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier
Washington State passes landmark facial recognition safeguards law pushed by Microsoft
2 min. read
Published onApril 1, 2020
published onApril 1, 2020
Share this article
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Washington Statehas officially adopted a Microsoft supported law that includes the most detailed regulations of facial recognition in the United States, and represents a model for other states to use as the use of facial recognition grows.
The law was officially passed on March 12th and was signed into law today by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. With this new law, government agencies can use facial recognition technologies but with significant restrictions to ensure that the new technology isn’t deployed for mass surveillance purposes or tracking of citizens.
As a technology,facial recognitioncan identify individuals in photos, videos, or live cameras using existing databases that contain known subjects. For obvious reasons, the technology is popular with law enforcement and businesses by being able to identify a person using nothing more than facial features, or using what’s known as “Biometric Artificial Intelligence,” to identify a person based on the shape, facial features or movements of an individual. However, many people are already pushing for a ban on the technology due to the potential that the potential invasion of privacy for individuals who are not engaged with a business or are not aware of being monitored by law enforcement.
WithMicrosoft‘s support, and in support of their own facial recognition services, the new law takes a big step forward in attempting to protect Washingtonians to ensure agencies and businesses can deploy facial recognition as a tool that works for the benefit of the public. For example, facial recognition could be used during Amber or silver alerts and could be used to find a missing person. The new law requires agencies to obtain a warrant to run facial recognition scans (for non-emergency situations) and must be tested to ensure there are no unfair performance differences based on skin tone and age.
While there will continue to be broad discussions on the merits of the technology, and how best to use/deploy it, its good to see some progress that ensures that rather than just straight banning a technology that has the potential to do good things, Washington and Microsoft are taking a more pragmatic approach and that further reviews and recommendations will happen at the government level.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Radu Tyrsina
