US CBP deploys CBP One app using facial recognition for asylum seekers amid privacy concerns
The article reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection quietly deployed the CBP One mobile app at the Mexico border. The app uses facial recognition and geolocation to collect and verify information on asylum seekers before they enter the United States. Privacy experts warn that the app poses risks of persistent surveillance and that the facial recognition algorithm is unreliable for people of colour. A previous CBP facial recognition pilot was hacked, exposing images. CBP says the app is voluntary and data is secure.
- Company involved
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- AI system involved
- CBP One
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Five Illinois residents sue facial recognition company Pimeyes under BIPA
Five Illinois residents are suing Pimeyes, a facial recognition search engine, alleging that the company violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting and using their facial data without consent. The lawsuit claims that Pimeyes made the residents' photos and information available in search results, enabling unauthorized access. The company has not yet been served with the lawsuit, and its CEO stated he had no prior knowledge of the case.
- Company involved
- Pimeyes
- AI system involved
- Pimeyes
7 source articles · read the reporting →
N-Tech.lab's FindFace used to identify St Petersburg metro passengers without consent
Egor Tsvetkov photographed passengers on the St Petersburg metro without their permission and used N-Tech.lab's facial recognition service FindFace to match their faces to public Vkontakte profiles. He published the results in an art project called 'Your Face is Big Data', saying he wanted to show how 'digital narcissism' can lead to stalking. Privacy advocates said the project was ethically problematic because the subjects had not consented and their identities were exposed. FindFace had been launched by N-Tech.lab in February 2016.
- Company involved
- N-Tech.lab
- AI system involved
- FindFace
8 source articles · read the reporting →
OnlyFake site uses neural networks to generate fake IDs, bypasses OKX verification
An underground website called OnlyFake uses neural networks to generate realistic photos of fake IDs for $15. The journalist tested the service and obtained a convincing California driver's license. They then used another fake ID to successfully bypass the identity verification process on OKX, a cryptocurrency exchange. The article alleges that this technology could streamline bank fraud and money laundering, but reports no actual financial loss.
- Company involved
- OKX
- AI system involved
- OnlyFake
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Serco Leisure issued enforcement notices for unlawful biometric monitoring of employees
Serco Leisure and associated trusts used facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to monitor employee attendance at 38 leisure facilities. The ICO found they unlawfully processed biometric data of over 2,000 employees. Enforcement notices were issued ordering them to stop.
- Company involved
- Serco Leisure Operating Limited
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Italian DPA says Interior Ministry's Sari Real Time facial recognition lacks legal basis
The Garante per la protezione dei dati personali issued an opinion on Sari Real Time, a facial recognition system developed for the Italian Ministry of Interior. The system, yet to become operational, would compare live video footage of people in public areas with a watch-list and alert police operators. The authority found the planned biometric processing lacked a specific legal basis under Italian law and Directive (EU) 2016/680, and warned it could turn targeted surveillance into mass surveillance.
- Company involved
- Ministero dell'Interno – Dipartimento della pubblica sicurezza
- AI system involved
- Sari Real Time
10 source articles · read the reporting →
AAIP investigates Worldcoin's personal data processing in Argentina
The Argentine Agency for Access to Public Information (AAIP) has initiated an investigation into the data processing practices of Worldcoin in Argentina. The investigation focuses on the collection, storage, and use of biometric data, including facial and iris scans, carried out in several cities in exchange for financial compensation. The AAIP aims to verify compliance with the country's data protection law, Ley 25.326, regarding sensitive data handling.
- Company involved
- Worldcoin (Fundación Worldcoin)
- AI system involved
- Worldcoin
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Facial recognition system falsely detains woman in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
A facial recognition system deployed by the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro in Copacabana falsely identified a local resident as a wanted fugitive. The system flagged the woman with a 70% probability match, leading police to detain her for over an hour before realising the error. The police spokesperson acknowledged the system's statistical error rate and stated that officers attempt to verify identities on site. The incident is one of several false positives reported with the system.
- Company involved
- Polícia Militar do Rio de Janeiro
10 source articles · read the reporting →
South Korea investigates Worldcoin over biometric data collection
South Korea's Personal Information Protection Committee has launched an investigation into Worldcoin, a project that uses iris scanning technology to create a global digital identity. The investigation follows complaints alleging that Worldcoin collected sensitive biometric data from individuals at ten locations across the country without proper consent. The regulator is examining whether Worldcoin violated privacy laws in its data handling practices.
- Company involved
- Worldcoin
- AI system involved
- Worldcoin
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Hive Box Facial-Recognition Lockers Hacked by Children Using Photos
Fourth-grade students in Jiaxing, China, demonstrated that Hive Box's facial-recognition smart lockers could be opened with a printed photo. The company, which operates a large network of delivery lockers, acknowledged the flaw and suspended the beta feature. The incident raised concerns about the security of facial recognition technology.
- Company involved
- Hive Box
1 source article · read the reporting →
Worldcoin halts ID verification in Indonesia after regulatory freeze
Worldcoin, the digital identity project developed by Tools for Humanity, voluntarily paused its identity verification services in Indonesia on May 5, 2025, following a regulatory freeze by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Application. The ministry acted after preliminary investigations found that operating companies lacked required electronic system provider licenses. Worldcoin uses its Orb device to scan faces and irises to create unique digital identities. The company said it is committed to addressing any regulatory shortcomings and awaits clearer guidance.
- Company involved
- Worldcoin
- AI system involved
- World ID
3 source articles · read the reporting →
PimEyes faces fine proceedings over biometric facial recognition in Baden-Württemberg
PimEyes, a facial recognition search engine, is accused of scraping images from the internet and processing biometric data without a valid legal basis under the GDPR. The data protection authority of Baden-Württemberg (LfDI) opened fine proceedings after it found PimEyes's response to its questions inadequate. PimEyes argues that the images it processes are publicly available and not personal data. The LfDI says the processing endangers citizens' rights and freedoms and is not covered by the GDPR exceptions.
- Company involved
- PimEyes
- AI system involved
- PimEyes
9 source articles · read the reporting →
French police secretly used Briefcam facial recognition since 2015
The French National Police has been using Briefcam's Video Synopsis software since 2015, according to internal documents obtained by Disclose. The software, which includes facial recognition capabilities, was deployed without the required data protection impact assessment or notification to the CNIL. The Ministry of the Interior concealed the use of this tool for eight years. The police hierarchy allegedly used the software for facial recognition without judicial requisition, and the DGPN did not respond to requests for comment.
- Company involved
- French National Police
- AI system involved
- Briefcam Video Synopsis
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Delhi Police use facial recognition to screen PM Modi rally attendees
Delhi Police used an Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) to screen crowds at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally on December 22, 2019. The system, originally installed to find missing children, was used to identify possible disruptions. Privacy advocates called the move illegal and unconstitutional, saying it amounts to mass surveillance. Police defended the use, citing credible intelligence about possible disruptions.
- Company involved
- Delhi Police
- AI system involved
- Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS)
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Outabox hack exposes biometric data of patrons at bars, clubs and casinos
Hackers claiming to be former employees published a website allowing searches of Outabox's facial recognition database, exposing biometric and other sensitive data of patrons used for age verification at bars, clubs and casinos. The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project warns that the breach demonstrates the danger of facial recognition for age verification. S.T.O.P. has launched a campaign to ban facial recognition in public accommodations.
- Company involved
- Outabox
8 source articles · read the reporting →
AENA fined €10m for GDPR breach over facial recognition pilot
AENA, Spain's state-owned airport manager, was fined just over €10 million by the Spanish data protection agency for breaching the GDPR. During a pilot project of a new facial recognition system, AENA failed to submit a data protection impact assessment that complied with GDPR requirements. The company has one month from notification to lodge an appeal for reconsideration.
- Company involved
- AENA
6 source articles · read the reporting →
PimEyes facial recognition search engine identifies individuals from public photos
PimEyes, a Polish facial recognition search engine, allows users to upload a photo and find matching images from across the internet. The system scrapes billions of photos and creates biometric profiles without consent. A banker named Dylan (pseudonym) discovered that an old party photo of him was found by the system, potentially outing his private life. Privacy advocates and platforms like Instagram and YouTube are taking action against PimEyes, alleging violations of the GDPR.
- Company involved
- PimEyes
- AI system involved
- PimEyes
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Buenos Aires city government uses live facial recognition to track minors in criminal database
The Buenos Aires city government deployed a live facial recognition system in April 2019 that scans subway passengers and matches them against CONARC, a national database of alleged offenders. Human Rights Watch found that the database includes at least 166 children, some as young as one to three years old, and that the system has led to numerous false arrests. The system was implemented without public consultation, and there is no mechanism to correct mistakes. A civil rights organization filed a lawsuit, and the government is pushing a bill to legalize the technology.
- Company involved
- Buenos Aires city government
1 source article · read the reporting →
Ukrainian Hacker Pleads Guilty to Operating OnlyFake AI ID Scam Site
Yurii Nazarenko, a Ukrainian national, pleaded guilty to running OnlyFake, an AI-powered website that generated and sold over 10,000 counterfeit identification documents globally. The site allowed users to create realistic fake IDs, including driver's licenses and passports, to bypass identity verification at banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. Nazarenko faces up to 15 years in prison and agreed to forfeit $1.2 million. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2026.
- Company involved
- OnlyFake
- AI system involved
- OnlyFake
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Italian DPA fines Municipality of Trento over AI surveillance projects
The Italian data protection authority (Garante) fined the Municipality of Trento €50,000 for two research projects, Marvel and Protector, that used AI to analyze video, audio, and social media data for public security purposes. The projects involved automated detection of risk events from surveillance cameras and microphones in public spaces, as well as monitoring social media for hate speech. The Garante found multiple violations of privacy law, including lack of a valid legal basis, insufficient anonymization, failure to conduct a data protection impact assessment, and inadequate transparency. The municipality is required to delete the unlawfully processed data.
- Company involved
- Comune di Trento
- AI system involved
- Marvel and Protector
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Bahia Facial Recognition System Misidentifies Black Man as Wanted Criminal
Davi, a black administrative assistant, was tracked across 15 metro stations and approached by police after Bahia's facial recognition system falsely matched him to a wanted person. He was released after officers verified his identity. The system, supplied by Iecisa and Huawei, has a low accuracy rate and disproportionately affects black people. The government plans to expand it despite concerns over racial bias and errors.
- Company involved
- Secretaria de Segurança Pública da Bahia
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Duke University MTMC Dataset Used in Authoritarian Surveillance Research
Duke University created and openly distributed the Duke MTMC dataset, containing surveillance footage of approximately 2,000 students and visitors on campus. The dataset was used by numerous organisations, including Chinese military-linked companies like SenseTime and Hikvision, for developing person re-identification and facial recognition technologies. Following an investigation by exposing.ai and the Financial Times, Duke University terminated the dataset in May 2019. The incident highlights the privacy risks of academic datasets being repurposed for mass surveillance without consent.
- Company involved
- Duke University
- AI system involved
- Duke MTMC
1 source article · read the reporting →
Greek Data Protection Authority fines Ministry of Migration and Asylum for AI surveillance systems
The Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA) imposed an administrative fine of €175,000 on the Ministry of Migration and Asylum (MMA) for GDPR violations related to the 'Centaur' and 'Hyperion' programmes. These systems use AI behavioral analytics, CCTV, drones, and biometric data to monitor and control access to reception facilities for asylum seekers on Greek islands. The HDPA found that the MMA failed to conduct proper Data Protection Impact Assessments and did not cooperate with the authority. The MMA has been ordered to comply with GDPR within three months.
- Company involved
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum
- AI system involved
- Centaur and Hyperion programmes
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Manchester City to Trial Facial Recognition at Etihad Stadium
Manchester City are set to trial facial recognition software supplied by Blink Identity at the Etihad Stadium. The system would scan fans' faces to check whether they have bought tickets and allow entry, with the aim of reducing matchday queues. Fans would need to sign up using a picture of their face. The article notes concerns about the potential security of users, but the club and vendor say they are committed to protecting fans.
- Company involved
- Manchester City
1 source article · read the reporting →
