FEDERAL agencies could use drivers’ licence photos to help identify criminals under a revolutionary plan to combat extremists and major crime.
Every drivers’ licence in the country is being sought by the Federal Government to help national law and spy agencies expand their use of facial recognition technology.
The multimillion-dollar system will help transform policing from mid next year.
Queensland Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Government was “in discussions” with the Commonwealth about the plan and whether any handover would meet privacy safeguards.
Every day, Australians are captured by CCTV footage in all sorts of situation.
Providing access to drivers’ licences will also give federal law enforcement agencies immediate access to the residential address of people they are trying to identify.
Good-quality social media photos, like some posted on Facebook, also may be used.
Mr Bailey said the Government supported measures that increased the safety and security of Queenslanders.
“A business case is currently being developed, on behalf of all state and territory governments, for the use of nationally accessed facial recognition technology,’’ he said yesterday.
“Any such arrangement would require amendment to current regulations before being implemented and would be subject to appropriate privacy safeguards.”
Apart from identifying potential terror suspects loitering near landmarks or those captured on CCTV committing serious crimes, the technology will also help:
● To identify bodies – victims of crime or a natural disaster.
● Help people affected by natural disasters to quickly access government assistance.
● Help identify missing persons.
●Help target pedophiles from child exploitation material.
A spokeswoman for Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the new system was not a database.
“The system will provide a technical means for police to use still images from a range of sources to help establish the identity of an unknown person,” she said.
“This new system is designed to replace existing manual, ad-hoc facial image sharing arrangements between agencies. Participating agencies will need to undertake further privacy impact assessments that will examine the specific ways in which they intend to use the system.”
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