As the old saying goes, it wasn’t a matter of “if,” it was a matter of “when.” Officials at the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles recently installed face recognition software into their state database to combat identity theft and fraud.
The program uses a variety of complex algorithms to compare the faces of individuals applying for a new license against those already in the system. If any red flags appear on the applicant’s record, the documentation would be kicked back or reported to the proper authorities. What the officials didn’t count on were identical twins clogging up the works.
Two teenage girls living in Augusta – who just happened to be identical twins – were erroneously suspected of committing DMV fraud by the newly installed system when they applied for learner’s permits.
The facial recognition software wasn’t able to tell the two apart. The machine assumed they were the same person and refused to issue a permit. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time this has happened with DMV face recognition software.
Over the past year, many states have begun using face recognition technology. New York and New Jersey have already started cross checking each other’s databases, racking up thousands of arrests as a result. Many other states have seen a significant drop in identity theft and DMV fraud once the systems were in place.
But, as many critics have pointed out, computers and software are tools and can be misused. In fact, many of the states using the technology have inconsistent rules regarding who can access the information and how it can be used in an investigation.
If you’ve recently been charged with DMV fraud or identity theft in Orange County, it is critical that you speak with an attorney who understands what’s at stake. These charges carry steep penalties and can lead to incarceration and heavy fines.
For more information, call the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at (714) 530-9690 to schedule a free consultation.
