Sen. Ossoff launches inquiry with the FBI into facial recognition policies and practices
Sen. Ossoff warns that abuse of facial recognition systems could lead to intrusive surveillance & infringe upon Americans’ First & Fourth Amendment rights
Washington D.C.— Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Georgians’ privacy and Constitutional rights.
Today, Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with the FBI into its facial recognition policies and practices to ensure that the Bureau respects the freedoms and privacy the First and Fourth Amendments guarantee for Georgians and all Americans.
In a letter, Sen. Ossoff and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) and Congresswoman Yvette Clark (D-NY-09) ask the FBI for more information on how it uses facial recognition technology, warning of possible abuses to Constitutional rights.
“Among our principal concerns are First Amendment issues related to the use of facial recognition,” the Members of Congress wrote. “The information requested by this letter will help the American people’s lawful representatives better understand how the FBI – and law enforcement agencies using the FBI’s tools – are employing facial recognition technology.”
Sen. Ossoff also demands answers from the agency on the accuracy of the facial recognition systems it uses, as studies have reported that women and minorities are more likely to be misidentified by these technologies.
“Congress needs full visibility into the use of facial recognition technology in domestic investigations given the significant privacy, national security, and First Amendment implications,” Sen. Ossoff said.
Sen. Ossoff has been leading the charge to protect Americans’ privacy and Constitutional rights.
Earlier this year, Sen. Ossoff and Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the bipartisan Data Elimination and Limiting Extensive Tracking and Exchange (DELETE) Act, legislation that would enable and empower Americans to request that data brokers delete their personal data.
In March, during Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings, Sen. Ossoff asked Justice Jackson about protections of freedom of speech and the press as guaranteed by the First Amendment and asked Justice Jackson how she would approach these vital protections if confirmed.
Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s inquiry into the FBI’s facial recognition policies and practices.
