QUESTION
How can individuals remove their biometric data from surveillance systems and databases?
2:36:06
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159 sec
Individuals cannot easily remove their biometric data from surveillance systems and databases once collected.
- Biometric data like faces and fingerprints cannot be changed like credit cards or Social Security numbers.
- There is typically no opt-out or removal mechanism for biometric databases.
- Data proliferates from one database to another, making removal difficult.
- Companies often collect biometric data without proper notice and consent as required by law.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
2:36:06
Is it possible for someone to be removed?
2:36:10
When someone's biometric information has been captured, right?
2:36:14
You referenced this very specific fake moment during the pandemic.
2:36:18
And I know I spoke I personally spoke with business owners that were really relying on this technology.
2:36:24
For the reasons that you've highlighted about how this is an inaccurate system, would I be able to remove my image from this like this, like, cloud of data that that exists with my biometric information.
2:36:36
Like, what in the same way that it's like, if you if you were on PD's gang database, you're on it for life, if you're associated with someone here on it, what what recourse does someone have here?
2:36:47
Are they even made aware that their information obviously is being captured, but can someone be removed from from, I guess, data recognition collection?
2:36:59
If it's possible, I I'm honestly asking.
Albert Fox Cahn
2:37:01
So the first problem is you usually don't know when you're in one of these databases.
2:37:05
The second problem they don't actually have an opt out or removal mechanism.
2:37:10
And the 3rd problem is that all of this data is constantly being proliferated from one database to the next.
2:37:17
So even to the extent that you somehow found out someone was using this facial recognition system, and you ask them to remove it, that's not a guarantee that your data hasn't already migrated somewhere else, and it's really alarming with biometric tracking that this data is being collected.
2:37:35
Because if your credit card gets stolen, you can change your credit card number.
2:37:40
If your, you know, identity is stored, it it's a pain, but you can even change your Social Security number.
2:37:45
But if your biometric data is compromise.
2:37:49
If someone is accessing your biometric data to impersonate you, There's nothing you can do because that's going to be your biometric data for the rest of your life.
2:37:59
You can't change your face.
2:38:00
You can't change your fingerprints.
2:38:02
And so there's a real persistent harm.
2:38:05
And I just think that, you know, with all of these systems, it's kind of unnerving to me how Even though in New York City, it's been law for quite some time that any store using biometric surveillance, needs to publicly post that, needs to tell people, needs to give them that notes.
2:38:26
We still here are lots of reports.
2:38:29
About large companies that are doing those.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
2:38:31
Yeah.
Albert Fox Cahn
2:38:31
And, like, we're currently in court against Amazon and Starbucks.
2:38:36
Amongst others for allegedly taking New Yorkers biometric data without the sort of noticing consent that's required, an undercity law.
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