The state of Massachusetts has implemented a face recognition system that it uses as a tool to combat identity fraud in the state by looking through its database of driver’s license pictures on the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
But the system has left some people incorrectly accused of wrong-doing, according to a Boston.com article. Specifically, citizens such as John Gass have received notifications in the mail letting them know their license is revoked and only find out when navigating bureaucratic red tape that the revocation could be boiled down to his face being similar enough to another driver’s that his is assumed to be false.
The system in Massachusetts is one of 33 that state’s use from L-1 Identity Solutions. The company says the technology can reduce identity fraud, such as those obtaining multiple IDs to impersonate others or avoid law enforcement, by as much as 80%.
Despite this and controls put in place to stop the possibility of people incorrectly having licenses revoked or having to speak with law enforcement to clear their identity, the mistakes do happen. In the case of Gass, who is a driver for his job and was unable to drive for ten days it caused a big hassle.
Read the full story here. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/thirdfactor-4.gif)
