Re: camera tech for crime prevention

mgraffam@idsi.net
Sat, 2 Oct 1999 03:13:31 -0400 (EDT)

On Fri, 1 Oct 1999, Spike Jones wrote:

> Where Im going with this is: NO FEAR. Popular catch phrase
> today. If you are not committing crimes, then no fear. You *want*
> face rec instruments everywhere. If you *are* a violent criminal,
> then yes, be afraid, be very afraid. The future may not be your
> kinda place, but for the rest of us, face rec software is your friend.

Fuck that. You're insane. Face rec, in and of itself as a technology is one thing -- putting that technology to use is another.

Cameras are all over the place, some of them watch the streets. What would stop John Q. Officer from watching me walk along the street, match my face, and just pull up my file for the hell of it? Nothing.

The officer is ID'ing me without my consent. If said officer _tried_ to stop me as I walked along the street, I could legally refuse to give him my ID unless he decides to detain me, which he needs probable cause to do. Is this later ability _abused_ .. you bet your ass it is, but at least I can get the asshole's badge number! So why the fuck would I give him the ability for further abuse when I can't get his badge number and at least try to keep things on the level? Makes no sense.

Sure.. if I don't have a record they can't ID me, blah blah.. DMV records (ala, my picture) will be available legally or otherwise at some point, you can count on that.

Even if I'm a criminal, this still sucks ass.. even as a criminal if I'm walking the street, not commiting a crime I should be treated the same as any other citizen ..

Michael J. Graffam (mgraffam@idsi.net)
Our every action is a battle cry against imperialism and a call for unity of the peoples against the great enemy of the human race: the United States of America.