According to reports, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to collect biometric data from migrant children to train its algorithms. A report by MIT Technology Review reveals that DHS intends to gather and study facial images of children under 14 to improve their facial recognition technology. John Boyd, the assistant director of Homeland Security’s Office of Biometric Identity Management, confirmed that biometric collection will include children, even infants.
Expansion of Biometric Collection to Younger Ages
Traditionally, biometric collection programs, including DNA samples, target individuals aged 14 to 79. However, Boyd confirmed that some DHS sub-offices have recently removed these age limits, allowing data collection from much younger individuals. This shift focuses on research purposes rather than operational use, exempting it from the usual restrictions.
Potential Privacy Implications and Ethical Concerns
Boyd emphasized his office’s priority on privacy and assured that the collected data would not be shared with commercial entities. He suggested that the initiative could enhance facial recognition technology by studying how human faces change with age. This, in turn, could potentially aid authorities in locating missing children even years after their disappearance.
Despite these potential benefits, the program has sparked significant ethical concerns. Critics argue that migrants, who often arrive in the U.S. seeking a better life, may feel compelled to consent to collect biometric data from migrant children, despite potential reservations. The concern intensifies with children, who cannot provide informed consent, raising ethical questions about using their data for research.
DHS Response to the Report
In response to MIT Technology Review’s report, DHS has disputed some of the claims. The spokesperson for DHS told Engadget that the information in the report was based on a presentation aimed at exploring emerging technologies and their theoretical applications. As clarified by the spokesperson, “The DHS does not collect facial images from minors under 14 and has no current plans to do so for either operational or research purposes.”
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