IBM facial recognition contract provokes debate on specifics, and ‘general purpose’ fear

A contract won by IBM last month to supply facial recognition technology to UK border security and law enforcement has prompted accusations that the company has abandoned prior commitments to limit its sale of the technology.

The contract with Home Office, originally listed as being for £65.6 million (US$84.4 million) but now corrected to £54.7 million (US$69 million), is to provide infrastructure and biometric matching for immigration controls, the issuance of passports and visas, and law enforcement investigations.

In …

biometrics biometrics news border border security contract enforcement facial facial recognition facial recognition technology general government purchasing government services home home office ibm law law enforcement limit office purpose recognition sale security supply technology the company