Driver's license photos for facial recognition?

SANDUSKY — The photo from your state ID or driver's license could be added to an Ohio facial-recognition database, if a state-appointed task force gets its wish. The Facial-Recognition Task Force, appointed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, released a report Thursday with recommendations on how state law enforcement can use facial-recognition technology without infringing on civil liberties, Yost said. The task force made up of 29 members, including legislators, law enforcement officials and representatives from the ACLU and NAACP. It's review came after news reports that Ohio sent driver's license photos taken between August and December 2012 and added them to the facial-recognition system — administered by Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) — which could be accessed by federal agencies like the FBI and ICE. The attorney general's office reviewed the facial-recognition system last fall, which asserted that the database was not being misused. "Facial-recognition technology is not a tool to develop leads — it's a place where police work begins, not where it ends," Yost said. "This report gives us the guidance to provide law enforcement with necessary tools, as well as needed safeguards to protect Ohioans." One recommendation of the task force was to add all current Ohio driver's license photos that "meet the requisite image quality standard in the facial recognition database," according to the report. But not everyone in the task force is on board with this suggestion. "The task force had several spirited conversations about this issue and, after careful consideration, generally agreed that new images from the BMV should be enrolled in the facial-recognition database for purposes of investigation," the report states. "As the discussion concluded, state Sen. (John) Eklund (R-Munson Township) cautioned the group, expressed his dissent and said enrolling the BMV images is not a recommendation that he would make or support." Here's some of the task force's other recommendations: • The AG should declare a moratorium, or temporary ban, on the use of "live" facial recognition: The task force defined live facial recognition as using photographs as reference to identify people in a real-time video, and said they agreed such technology could have a "chilling effect for the public if it were misused." They also said research shows such technology is inaccurate at identifying "darker-complexion and female faces." • Facial-recognition database access should be limited to trained professionals at BCI: The task force claimed establishing a "centralized process" would mitigate risks associated with the use of the technology. They also suggested BCI improve training standards. • The AG should maintain current standards prohibiting face-recognition to conduct surveillance on people based on religion, political or "constitutionally-protected activities or affiliations." • The AG should determine a specific standard for when law enforcement can us facial recognition and define investigative purpose for its use: The task force said this standard should require a reasonable suspicion that a person committed a crime, and that the person's actions present a danger to human life. • Ohio's General Assembly should weigh in on the appropriate use of facial-recognition technology and its oversight. • The state's facial-recognition policy should have routine monitoring, periodic audits, enforcement and public transparency. • The AG should make sure the public has access to information about the use and regulation of facial-recognition in Ohio.