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Israel utilized Google Photos' facial recognition technology to pinpoint Gazans, erroneously associating them with Hamas
Israel has been leveraging a facial identification system developed from Google Photos' technology, which has wrongly categorized numerous Gazans as individuals linked to Hamas. The system was initially introduced to aid IDF in rescuing kidnapped Israelis from Gaza.
A recent article from The New York Times has highlighted Israel's military intelligence activities in Gaza, showcasing their use of a pioneering facial recognition software with disturbing outcomes.
It seems that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have employed a facial recognition system created by a private Israeli firm, Corsight. This facial recognition software, based on technology used in Google Photos, was first implemented in Gaza after the border attacks on October 7. Its purpose was to find Israelis captured by Hamas, as per reports from intelligence authorities.
The operation of the program is quite straightforward — Corsight's software integrates a service from Google Photos that is readily available and pairs it with their proprietary technology. The law enforcement officers can upload images or data of individuals they are interested in to the program. The software then analyses this information and conducts a reverse search to pinpoint targets from a collection of confirmed intelligence resources and lists of wanted individuals.
The program was originally developed to find Israeli hostages in Gaza, but it rapidly expanded to become a more comprehensive monitoring tool. As per the information from sources mentioned in the NYT report, it's used to pinpoint individuals potentially linked to Hamas or other aggressive groups.
As the Israeli ground assault in Gaza escalated, the software became a key tool for officers. Yet, there were occasions when the system mistakenly flagged innocent civilians as targeted members of Hamas, according to an Israeli officer cited in a report by the New York Times.
Despite the program producing positive outcomes, particularly given the frequent need to process incomplete data and poor-quality pictures with only fragments of faces or images captured in dim light, the technology has been hindered by inaccuracies.
Despite its faults, Israeli troops have continued to use the system, leading to the detention of several civilians who are falsely identified by the software as being connected to Hamas. An Israeli officer's remarks, quoted in the report, call into question the system's dependability.
The New York Times report brought attention to a particular case involving Mosab Abu Toha, a poet living in Gaza. He was mistakenly arrested at a military checkpoint as he tried to exit the region with his family. Toha shared his experience of being handcuffed, blindfolded, physically assaulted, and questioned for two days before finally being let go. The soldiers referred to his arrest as an "error."
Corsight's technology has been criticized for its propensity to produce inaccurate results and mistakenly recognize people. Although Google Photos is superior in identifying partially hidden faces, authorities allegedly prefer Corsight for its adaptability.
The application of face identification tech in military activities has led to moral dilemmas, especially in relation to the possibility of incorrect imprisonments and breaches of human rights.
Critics contend that these monitoring actions could potentially heighten conflicts and contribute to more instability in the area, while supporters insist that they are essential for preserving safety in areas of strife.
Though certain countries use it to enhance air travel procedures, China and Russia have been rebuked for exploiting it to persecute minority communities and quell disagreement. The use of facial recognition technology by Israel in Gaza exemplifies a distinctive use of this technology in times of conflict.
Matt Mahmoudi, a researcher at Amnesty International, suggests that Israel's application of facial recognition technology could potentially lead to the dehumanization of Palestinians, as it may result in them not being recognized as individuals.
Israel has previously implemented facial recognition technology in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as detailed in a report by Amnesty International. The Israeli authorities utilized a local facial recognition system called Blue Wolf in these regions. This system made use of high-definition cameras at checkpoints and mobile applications to capture the faces of Palestinians, creating a comprehensive database.
On the other hand, Gaza, where Israel pulled out in 2005, didn't have facial recognition technology. The main methods of surveillance used against Hamas in Gaza included tracking phone conversations, questioning detainees, gathering drone videos, infiltrating personal social media profiles, and breaching telecommunication networks, as stated by Israeli intelligence officials.
After the cross-border attacks on October 7, Israeli spy agencies, notably Unit 8200, increased their monitoring activities to collect data on Hamas fighters who infiltrated Israel's boundaries. This involved examining security camera recordings and closely inspecting videos shared by Hamas on various social media sites. An officer stated that the unit was directed to assemble a list of targeted Hamas members implicated in the assaults.
(Incorporating information from various sources)
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