TESTIMONY
Jake Parker, Representative of the Security Industry Association, on the Impact of Proposed Biometric Technology Legislation in New York City
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Jake Parker, representing the Security Industry Association, testifies against proposed biometric technology ordinances in New York City.
- He highlights the benefits of biometric technologies in enhancing safety and security across various sectors.
- Parker argues the ordinances would severely limit legal and ethical uses of biometrics by businesses and consumers.
- He expresses concerns about undermining efforts to combat organized retail crime, which fuels larger criminal activities.
- Parker advocates for responsible and lawful use of biometric technologies while preserving choice for businesses and individuals.
Jake Parker
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Hi.
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Terry Gutierrez, members of the committee.
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I'm Jake Parker with the Security Industry Association representing more than 80 companies headquartered in New York and 1500 nationwide.
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Our members provide safety and security products among them leading providers of biometric technologies, including facial recognition software.
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Today, these technologies contributed safety and security of our communities and bring value to our daily lives across many different types of applications.
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For example, users, used to buy consumers for verification are rapidly expanding, and the popularity is growing from Mets fans using Entry Express for facial ticketing at Saint City Field to speeding up TSA security lines at LaGuardia and JFK.
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To faster debarkation at cruise ports in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
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Also, safety and security applications are helping stem the tide of retail theft.
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Which also helps prevent food and pharmacy deserts in underserved communities by preserving access to grocery stores and other establishments facing pressure to close their doors.
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In all this, it's critical these technologies are used in a secure manner in in ways that are lawful ethical and nondiscriminatory.
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We're concerned with the 2 ordinances up for discussion of biometrics These would simply outlaw most uses of biometric technologies, despite the fact that they are already regulated under the city's existing biometric data privacy and tentative data privacy laws.
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217 would prevent the use by businesses consumers regardless of the purpose and whether agreed to by the individual, robbing them of their choice to use more secure methods to verify their identity.
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And also dictating limitations to your businesses and how they can protect themselves in their properties.
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We're also So on that, it would reduce the ability of of businesses to address organized retail crime, which is in the 80% in recent years, according to the city's recent report in conflict with the mayor's initiatives.
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They call for businesses to analyze and improve their security.
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It's important to remember the human cost as well as the the monetary cost.
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Retail crime is often violent time.
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In the last 2 years, more than 1100 customers, employees, and security personnel have been killed by criminals in retail settings across our country, and the human cost is far beyond these victims.
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Is organized retail theft fuels drug smuggling, human trafficking, and criminal enterprises.
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These technology tools are used daily across the city.
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And the country to make stores safer.
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And it's out there.
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Sharon Brown, Member of the Public, on Transparency and Privacy Concerns with Biometric Surveillance Cameras
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Robert Tappan, Managing Director of the International Biometrics And Identity Association, on Responsible Regulation of Biometric Technologies for Public Safety and Convenience
