I'm not sure why the article mentions the DL photos. Probably just to cause a panic. The cameras are connected to a db of mug shots, not drivers licences. And the cameras don't record anything. If your image matches the mug shot db, according to the software, it pings the police. Otherwise it ignores you.
Personally, I have no problem with this system if used as intended. A camera hooked up to a database of wanted criminals doesn't strike me as fundamentally different than a cop standing on the corner with a book of mug shots. What does concern me is the potential for abuse. Some cop wants to track his girlfriend? Bing! Her picture is in the db. Employer wants to track his employees? Slip the cops a few bucks and, presto, in the db. The possibilities are endless...
Slashdot Mirror
I'm not sure why the article mentions the DL photos. Probably just to cause a panic. The cameras are connected to a db of mug shots, not drivers licences. And the cameras don't record anything. If your image matches the mug shot db, according to the software, it pings the police. Otherwise it ignores you.
Personally, I have no problem with this system if used as intended. A camera hooked up to a database of wanted criminals doesn't strike me as fundamentally different than a cop standing on the corner with a book of mug shots. What does concern me is the potential for abuse. Some cop wants to track his girlfriend? Bing! Her picture is in the db. Employer wants to track his employees? Slip the cops a few bucks and, presto, in the db. The possibilities are endless...