{"id":63357,"date":"2022-05-05T15:31:07","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T19:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.riacanada.ca\/?p=63357"},"modified":"2022-05-26T15:36:06","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T19:36:06","slug":"bucking-big-brother-setting-appropriate-limits-on-facial-recognition-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.riacanada.ca\/wordpress\/magazine\/bucking-big-brother-setting-appropriate-limits-on-facial-recognition-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Bucking Big Brother: Setting Appropriate Limits on Facial Recognition Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The breathtaking progress of modern technology has bettered our lives in innumerable ways, but little reflection is needed to see that, for all its benefits, today\u2019s cutting-edge technology is not entirely positive, and in many ways threatens our core humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowhere is this clearer than with Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). Combining biometrics and artificial intelligence, FRT enables its users to identify a person by mapping their facial features and comparing this data to facial images stored in a database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While FRT has potential benefits, the sheer scale of the harm this technology can cause, from racial profiling to full-blown dystopian mass surveillance, makes it imperative for governments to establish and enforce clearly defined limits on its use. As investors, we can help accelerate these efforts through targeted and coordinated advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cGood\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Potential benefits of FRT include preventing terrorist attacks<\/a>, overturning wrongful convictions<\/a>, aiding criminal investigations<\/a>, preventing school shootings<\/a>, improving airport and border security, and even simple things like unlocking an iPad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most of these cases, however, it is extremely difficult to strike the right balance between personal privacy rights \u2013 a core pillar of a free and democratic society \u2013 and the often-competing benefit of added security. So even where FRT is arguably a positive, its use is an ethical minefield for any society that values individual liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cBad & the Ugly\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is easy to see how FRT can be used as a tool of oppression by authoritarian governments. China, Russia and other dictatorial regimes across the globe have incorporated this technology<\/a> as a tool of Orwellian mass surveillance, enabling them to suppress free expression and quell dissent.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of FRT for malign purposes is not restricted to state actors. For example, apps are now available that allow users to scan uploaded photos against every available online image for potential matches. Critics worry these apps can be <\/a>abused<\/a> by stalkers and harassers, leaving women escaping abusive partners vulnerable. Identity theft is another major concern. For example, hackers breached U.S. Customs and Border Patrol systems<\/a> in 2019, making off with a trove of facial image data and license-plate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Racial bias is another major problem. For example, data sets tend to overrepresent White, middle-aged men<\/a>, and FRT algorithms have been shown to misidentify Asian and Black faces<\/a> up to 100 times more often than White faces. Both of these failings have led to harmful legal outcomes for minorities.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting Boundaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meaningful steps are being taken to stem the potential abuse of FRT. In the U.S., a number of jurisdictions have outlawed its use by law enforcement and government agencies. In some cases, the ban has been extended to the private sector as well. Some states have either proposed or passed legislation that places limits<\/a> on the collection of biometric data, and enshrined into law the need to receive informed consent from anyone targeted by FRT or related technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The European Data Protection Board and the European Data Protection Supervisor, Europe\u2019s two privacy regulators, have urged lawmakers to completely ban FRT in public areas<\/a>. Current legislation making its way through the European Parliament would place hard limits on biometric identification<\/a>, including FRT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here in Canada, privacy laws recently curtailed the RCMP\u2019s use of FRT. Last year, an investigation by the Privacy Commissioner revealed that the Mounties violated the Privacy Act in their use of Clearview AI\u2019s FRT database. Clearview AI, a private sector company with over 3,100 law enforcement contracts in the U.S. alone<\/a>, maintains a database of billions of images harvested from social media, which the RCMP used to run searches on suspects<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement<\/a>, the Privacy Commissioner said \u201cthe use of FRT by the RCMP to search through massive repositories of Canadians who are innocent of any suspicion of crime presents a serious violation of privacy.” A number of municipal police services were also found to have used Clearview AI, but along with the RCMP, they have stopped doing so \u2013 if for no other reason than because the firm has abandoned its operations in Canada. Importantly, the RCMP disputes the Privacy Commissioner\u2019s finding that using Clearview AI violated the Privacy Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Role for Investors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vancity Investment Management Ltd. (VCIM), sub-advisor of the IA Clarington Inhance SRI Funds, believes investors have a responsibility to use their leverage as shareholders to advocate for positive change. That\u2019s why we\u2019re deeply committed \u2013 as part of our longstanding and robust program of shareholder engagement \u2013 to advancing the cause of responsible limits on FRT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year VCIM signed the Investor Statement on Facial Recognition<\/a> along with 51 other global institutional investors, collectively representing $4.8 trillion in assets under management. The Statement urges companies involved in FRT to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. disclose the accuracy of their technology after measurement by a recognized and relevant scientific assessment institution;<\/li>
  2. disclose the source(s) of their image databases and demonstrate that their technology is constantly monitored to detect algorithmic biases, particularly with respect to race, gender, or age;<\/li>
  3. demonstrate proper due diligence of clients before making the technology available to them; and<\/li>
  4. demonstrate that effective grievance mechanisms are in place to enable victims to report consequences and access remedies.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The Statement forms the basis of VCIM\u2019s ongoing engagement with IBM and Cisco. Together with like-minded shareholder groups, we are urging both companies to make a firm commitment to the best practices laid out in the Statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Visit inhancesri.ca<\/a> to learn more about Vancity Investment Management\u2019s shareholder engagement activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Contributor Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong>
    The information provided herein does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified advisor prior to making any investment decision. Statements by the portfolio manager or sub-advisor responsible for the management of the fund’s investment portfolio, as specified in the applicable fund’s prospectus (“portfolio manager”) represent their professional opinion, do not necessarily reflect the views of iA Clarington, and should not be relied upon for any other purpose. Information presented should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell a particular security. Specific securities discussed are for illustrative purposes only. Mutual funds may purchase and sell securities at any time and securities held by a fund may increase or decrease in value. Past investment performance of a security may not be repeated. Unless otherwise stated, the source for information provided is the portfolio manager. Statements that pertain to the future represent the portfolio manager’s current view regarding future events. Actual future events may differ. iA Clarington does not undertake any obligation to update the information provided herein. The information presented herein may not encompass all risks associated with mutual funds. Please read the prospectus for a more detailed discussion on specific risks of investing in mutual funds. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, brokerage fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments, including investments in exchange-traded series of mutual funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Trademarks displayed herein that are not owned by Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. are the property of and trademarked by the corresponding company and are used for illustrative purposes only. The iA Clarington Funds are managed by IA Clarington Investments Inc. iA Clarington and the iA Clarington logo, and iA Wealth and the iA Wealth logo, are trademarks of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and are used under license.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RIA Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong>
    The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view or position of the Responsible Investment Association (RIA). The RIA does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee any of the claims made by the authors. This article is intended as general information and not investment advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified advisor or investment professional prior to making any investment or investment-related decision.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The breathtaking progress of modern technology has bettered our lives in innumerable ways, but little reflection is needed to see that, for all its benefits, today\u2019s cutting-edge technology is not entirely positive, and in many ways threatens our core humanity. Nowhere is this clearer than with Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). Combining biometrics and artificial intelligence, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7472,"featured_media":64423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBucking Big Brother: Setting Appropriate Limits on Facial Recognition Technology - Responsible Investment Association<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riacanada.ca\/wordpress\/magazine\/bucking-big-brother-setting-appropriate-limits-on-facial-recognition-technology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bucking Big Brother: Setting Appropriate Limits on Facial Recognition Technology - Responsible Investment Association\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The breathtaking progress of modern technology has bettered our lives in innumerable ways, but little reflection is needed to see that, for all its benefits, today\u2019s cutting-edge technology is not entirely positive, and in many ways threatens our core humanity. 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