CBP Signs Clearview AI Deal to Use Face Recognition for ‘Tactical Targeting’ (www.wired.com)

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has signed a $225,000 contract to access Clearview AI's facial recognition technology for a year. This tool allows CBP to compare images against over 60 billion publicly available photos scraped from the internet, primarily for use in tactical targeting and strategic counter-network analysis within its intelligence units. The integration of Clearview AI into routine intelligence operations raises significant concerns about civil liberties, particularly regarding the potential for invasive surveillance and the lack of clarity about the types of images agents can upload, including the possibility of involving US citizens. Critics, including lawmakers and civil rights advocates, have expressed alarm over the deployment of facial recognition technologies by federal agencies without adequate transparency or public consent. The recent testing by the National Institute of Standards and Technology revealed limitations in Clearview AI's accuracy, especially in less controlled environments, where error rates could exceed 20%. This highlights the inherent risks of relying on such technology for investigative purposes, as it may produce false matches that complicate human review processes. The contract also coincides with legislative efforts to limit or ban the use of facial recognition by agencies like CBP and ICE, underscoring the urgent dialogue surrounding the ethical implications of biometric surveillance in national security efforts.