INVESTIGATION REPORT F12-01: Investigation Into the Use of Facial Recognition Technology by the Insurance Corporation of British Colombia
Item
Dublin Core
Title
INVESTIGATION REPORT F12-01: Investigation Into the Use of Facial Recognition Technology by the Insurance Corporation of British Colombia
Creator
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Colombia
Publisher
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Colombia
Date
February 16, 2012
Zotero
Abstract Note
Executive Summary:
[1] Privacy is essential for the well -being of citizens and is a fundamental human right. In British Columbia the rules that protect the privacy rights of citizens are contained in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This investigation report examines the privacy issues associated with the use of facial recognition technology by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (“ICBC”)
[2] ICBC’s facial recognition software came to my office’s attention in the aftermath of the Vancouver Canucks’ Stanley Cup loss in June, 2011. On the evening of the final game, disappointed Vancouver fans rioted in the streets of downtown Vancouver. Other fans began photographing and posting pictures of the rioters on websites and Facebook pages. The ensuing police investigation included collection of thousands of these images.
[3] In the aftermath of the riots, ICBC offered the use of its facial recognition software to assist police in identifying alleged vandals and rioters. [4] Our ability to control information about ourselves lies at the heart of the right to privacy. Citizens are entitled to know what information is being collected about them and why. Public bodies must limit the use of personal information to the purposes originally identified unless FIPPA permits a change in use. With the proliferation of new technologies, personal information collected for one purpose may be used to meet new and possibly unanticipated purposes with breathtaking speed and ease. If we are to maintain robust privacy rights, great care must be taken in evaluating proposed changes in use.
[5] Our investigation examined issues relating to both the original intended uses of facial recognition and the proposed use to assist police investigations.
[1] Privacy is essential for the well -being of citizens and is a fundamental human right. In British Columbia the rules that protect the privacy rights of citizens are contained in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This investigation report examines the privacy issues associated with the use of facial recognition technology by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (“ICBC”)
[2] ICBC’s facial recognition software came to my office’s attention in the aftermath of the Vancouver Canucks’ Stanley Cup loss in June, 2011. On the evening of the final game, disappointed Vancouver fans rioted in the streets of downtown Vancouver. Other fans began photographing and posting pictures of the rioters on websites and Facebook pages. The ensuing police investigation included collection of thousands of these images.
[3] In the aftermath of the riots, ICBC offered the use of its facial recognition software to assist police in identifying alleged vandals and rioters. [4] Our ability to control information about ourselves lies at the heart of the right to privacy. Citizens are entitled to know what information is being collected about them and why. Public bodies must limit the use of personal information to the purposes originally identified unless FIPPA permits a change in use. With the proliferation of new technologies, personal information collected for one purpose may be used to meet new and possibly unanticipated purposes with breathtaking speed and ease. If we are to maintain robust privacy rights, great care must be taken in evaluating proposed changes in use.
[5] Our investigation examined issues relating to both the original intended uses of facial recognition and the proposed use to assist police investigations.
Date
February 16, 2012
Extra
42 pages.
Publisher
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Colombia
Short Title
IR_F12-01.pdf
Title
INVESTIGATION REPORT F12-01: Investigation Into the Use of Facial Recognition Technology by the Insurance Corporation of British Colombia
Attachment Title
IR_F12-01.pdf
Collection
Citation
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Colombia, “INVESTIGATION REPORT F12-01: Investigation Into the Use of Facial Recognition Technology by the Insurance Corporation of British Colombia,” Deobfuscating State Surveillance, accessed May 20, 2024, https://surveillance.glendon.yorku.ca/items/show/880.