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Israel misidentified Gazans as Hamas affiliates via Google Photos-based facial recognition
Israel has been utilizing a facial recognition system, powered by Google Photos technology, which has incorrectly identified numerous Gazans as individuals associated with Hamas. Initially, this system was implemented to assist the IDF in rescuing kidnapped Israelis from Gaza.
The New York Times recently published a report that provides insight into the military intelligence activities of Israel in Gaza. The report reveals that they have been employing a trial version of a facial recognition system, with results that are cause for concern.
It seems that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been employing facial recognition software created by the private Israeli firm, Corsight. This facial recognition system, based on the technology employed by Google Photos, was first used in Gaza after the cross-border attacks on October 7 to find Israelis taken by Hamas, as per information from intelligence authorities.
The functioning of the program is quite straightforward – Corsight's software employs a universally available service from Google Photos, coupled with their proprietary technology. Law enforcement personnel would input information, or more precisely, images of individuals under scrutiny into the software. The program then examines and conducts a reverse search to pinpoint subjects from a compilation of confirmed intelligence resources and lists of individuals sought after.
The program was initially designed to find Israeli hostages in Gaza, but it swiftly developed into a wider monitoring tool to pinpoint individuals linked to Hamas or other aggressive groups, as per the sources mentioned in the NYT report.
As the situation in Gaza escalated with Israel's ground assault, officers began to depend on the software. Nevertheless, there were occasions when the technology misidentified civilians as sought-after members of Hamas, according to what an Israeli officer told the New York Times.
Despite the program delivering decent outcomes, particularly given that it frequently had to handle incomplete data and poor-quality pictures with only parts of faces visible, and images captured in dim light, the technology has been riddled with inconsistencies.
Despite its imperfections, Israeli troops have depended on this system, resulting in the detention of numerous civilians mistakenly identified as having connections with Hamas. An Israeli officer, cited in the report, questioned its dependability.
The New York Times report underscored an incident involving Mosab Abu Toha, a poet residing in Gaza. He was mistakenly arrested at a military outpost while trying to vacate the region with his family. Toha narrated his experience of being handcuffed, blindfolded, physically assaulted, and questioned for two days prior to his release. The military personnel acknowledged his arrest as an error.
Corsight's tech has been criticized for frequently producing inaccurate results and misidentifying people. While Google Photos is said to have better performance in recognizing partially hidden faces, it is reported that authorities prefer Corsight for its adaptable features.
The application of facial recognition technology in military activities has sparked moral debates, especially in relation to the possibility of unjust incarcerations and breaches of human rights.
Opponents contend that these monitoring strategies potentially heighten friction and could further unsettle the area. However, supporters assert that they are essential for upholding safety in areas of conflict.
Some countries utilize facial recognition technology to simplify air travel procedures, however, China and Russia have been critiqued for its use against minority communities and to quell opposition. The use of this technology by Israel in Gaza is a distinct instance of its application during conflict.
Matt Mahmoudi, a researcher at Amnesty International, suggests that Israel's application of facial recognition technology could potentially dehumanize Palestinians, as they may not be recognized as individuals.
In the past, Israel has implemented facial recognition technology in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to a document published by Amnesty International. The Israeli military utilized a local facial recognition software called Blue Wolf in these regions. This system used high-quality cameras at check points and mobile applications to capture the facial features of Palestinians and build a comprehensive database.
On the other hand, Gaza, where Israel pulled out in 2005, didn't have any facial recognition technology. The main methods of surveillance against Hamas in Gaza included tracking phone conversations, questioning detainees, gathering footage from drones, breaking into private social media profiles, and penetrating telecommunication networks, as per the reports from Israeli intelligence personnel.
After the cross-border attacks on October 7, Israeli spy agencies, especially Unit 8200, increased their monitoring activities to collect data on Hamas militants who violated Israel's borders. This involved examining footage from security cameras and meticulously analyzing videos shared by Hamas on social media. An officer stated that the unit was directed to create a list of targeted Hamas members who participated in the assaults.
(Incorporating information from various sources)
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