Activities
Divisions
Performances
Activities
Divisions
Performances
Israel utilized Google Photos and facial recognition technology to identify Gazans, erroneously associating them with Hamas
Israel has employed a facial recognition system, powered by Google Photos technology, which has incorrectly identified numerous Gazans as individuals linked to Hamas. The system was initially used to assist the IDF in retrieving Israelis who had been kidnapped from Gaza.
The New York Times has recently published a report highlighting the use of a new facial recognition software by Israel's military intelligence in Gaza, which has led to concerning outcomes.
Evidently, the Israel Defense Forces, also known as the IDF, have been employing a facial recognition software created by the private Israeli firm, Corsight. This facial recognition system, which is based on technology used by Google Photos, was first applied in Gaza after the October 7 cross-border attacks to find Israelis taken by Hamas, as per reports from intelligence authorities.
Corsight's program operates in a straightforward manner, utilizing a commonly available service from Google Photos along with its own technology. Law enforcement officers would input data or images of individuals of interest into the system. The program then processes and conducts a reverse search to pinpoint targets from a collection of validated intelligence data and lists of individuals on the run.
The program was originally designed to find Israeli hostages in Gaza, but it rapidly transformed into a more extensive monitoring tool used to pinpoint individuals potentially linked to Hamas or other militant groups, as per the sources quoted in the NYT report.
As the ground assault in Gaza by Israel escalated, the software program became increasingly used by officers. However, there were occasions when the technology mistakenly tagged civilians as sought-after members of Hamas, as per an Israeli officer cited in the report by the New York Times.
Despite the program producing some positive outcomes, particularly given that it frequently had to manage with incomplete data and poor-quality images featuring only sections of faces or photos captured in dim lighting, the technology has been beset with errors.
Despite its imperfections, Israeli troops have depended on a faulty system, leading to the detention of numerous civilians incorrectly identified by the software as having connections with Hamas. The reliability of this program was never questioned, as stated by an Israeli officer in the report.
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 while trying to leave the region with his loved ones. Toha described experiencing being handcuffed, blindfolded, physically assaulted, and questioned over a two-day period before he was finally let go. The soldiers dismissed his arrest as an "error."
Corsight's technology has been criticized for its propensity to produce incorrect matches and misidentify people. Even though Google Photos has better performance in identifying partially hidden faces, it is reported that officials prefer Corsight due to its ability to be customized.
The employment of facial recognition tech in military activities has sparked moral debates, particularly about the possible risks of incorrect imprisonments and breaches of human rights.
Detractors contend that these monitoring strategies may potentially heighten conflicts and cause additional instability in the area. However, supporters insist that these measures are crucial for preserving peace in areas of conflict.
Certain countries use it to improve air travel procedures, but nations such as China and Russia have received backlash for utilizing it to oppress minority communities and silence opposition. The use of facial recognition technology by Israel in Gaza serves as a distinctive instance of this technology's use in conflict situations.
Matt Mahmoudi, a researcher at Amnesty International, suggests that Israel's application of facial recognition technology could lead to the possible dehumanization of Palestinians, by potentially diminishing their individual identity.
In the past, Israel implemented facial recognition technology in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as detailed in an Amnesty International report. In these regions, Israeli authorities utilized a local facial recognition program called Blue Wolf. This system used high-definition cameras at checkpoints and mobile applications to capture the facial images of Palestinians and build a comprehensive database.
On the other hand, Gaza, where Israel pulled out in 2005, did not have facial recognition technology. The surveillance measures aimed at Hamas in Gaza mainly consisted of tracking phone conversations, questioning detainees, gathering drone imagery, checking private social media profiles, and breaching telecommunication systems as per the accounts of Israeli intelligence personnel.
After the transboundary operations on October 7, Israeli spy agencies, especially Unit 8200, stepped up their monitoring activities in order to collect data on Hamas militants who had infiltrated Israel's borders. This involved examining video footage from security cameras and closely studying videos shared by Hamas on social media. An officer indicated that the unit was directed to create a list of targeted Hamas members implicated in the assaults.
(Incorporating information from various sources)
Search for us on YouTube
Highlighted Programs
Associated Narratives
The US and Israel are attempting to organize a new date for a cancelled meeting that was supposed to discuss military strategies in Rafah.
The American military has successfully taken down Houthi drones that were posing a threat to a warship in the Red Sea.
During the conflict in Gaza, Israel has requested that a previously abandoned meeting with the US regarding their offensive tactics in Rafah be rearranged.
An Israeli captive during the Gaza conflict has accused their Hamas captors of sexual assault.
The US and Israel are trying to set up a new time for a meeting on Rafah military strategies that was previously cancelled.
The US military has neutralized Houthi drones that were threatening a warship in the Red Sea.
During the Gaza hostilities, Israel is asking the US to reschedule a meeting that was initially dismissed, discussing the Rafah offensive strategy.
An Israeli detainee during the Gaza conflict has reported
Firstpost holds all rights and is protected by copyright, effective until 202
+ There are no comments
Add yours