ACT gov rules out Access using facial recognition

"The ACT government also said they would only provide one-for-one matches, where the system returns a single identical match to a searched face, rather than multiple possible matches from searches in the One Person One License System (OPOLS).

Surveillance expert Professor Katina Michael from the University of Wollongong said one-to-one matches would help avoid innocent Canberrans being inadvertently targeted in an investigation.

A search which returned multiple possible matches, she said, could create false positives for investigators.

"You don't want fuzzy matches," Professor Michael said.

"They're almost forcing the feds, I believe, to be sure about an exact match or don't bother at all. You don't want to be an innocent person ending up on a suspect list."

She said a search which returned multiple possible matches to a biometric search could target the wrong people.

The agreement doesn't permanently rule out the ACT's database being used in OPOLS searches but states they "will not participate in the One Person One Licence System at this stage".

ACT Policing and other law enforcement will be able to review Access Canberra's database of driver's license photos, in turn the directorate will also be able to access the system.

Mr Barr said he had requested restrictions on the use of the Capability so as to meet the ACT's Human Rights Act, the first Australian jurisdiction to have a state-based human rights charter."

Citation: Finbar O'Mallon, October 15, 2017, "ACT government rules out Access Canberra using facial recognition technology", Canberra Times, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-government-rules-out-access-canberra-using-facial-recognition-technology-20171011-gyysue.html