Protest and questionnaire regarding the installation of face recognition surveillance cameras by JR East
from: Joint Signatory Organizations (List of organizations)
Contact information：The Citizens Liaison Committee Against Wiretapping Law hantocho-shiminren@tuta.io
Right after September 20, it was reported that East Japan Railway Company(JR East) had installed a facial recognition system in more than 8,000 surveillance cameras in JR stations and train cars, and that the cameras were being networked to monitor people who have served terms in prison, wanted suspects, and suspicious behaviors such as loitering, by checking them with a database. Later, it is reported that the network infrastructure for the facial recognition surveillance cameras itself remains intact, although some functions have been suspended.
According to the “JR East News” dated July 6, about 25,000 ticket gates and platforms will be upgraded at about 1,200 stations, and more than 10,000 cars, including Shinkansen and ordinary local trains, will be upgraded. While the objective is to “improve railroad security so that customers can use trains safely and with peace of mind for the Tokyo 2020 Games”, we believe that the actual intention is to make the network of face recognition surveillance cameras permanent.
The introduction of the facial recognition system by JR East is an infringement on the privacy of all those who use public transportation.In addition, the system treats people who have served their sentences with prejudice, denying the principle of presumption of innocence, and the surveillance of “loiterers” is presumably aimed at those living in the streets. In addition, this system collects the facial data of all users and picks up those who meet the criteria from among them. Thus, the system will monitor not only those explicitly targeted, but also an unspecified number of people.It must be said that this system undermines the right to privacy of all JR users, and JR cannot use security as an excuse to refuse to explain what this system is all about.
Therefore, we would like to make the following requests, and also ask for clarification of the background of this matter.
(Requests)
(1) Delete the data acquired and accumulated since the start of this system must be deleted, and abolish the face recognition system must be completely abolished.
(2) Identify the related companies that cooperated in building the system and database.
(3) Stop using the biometric authentication technology, including face recognition, will not be used in the future, and explain how the system was introduced.
(Questions)
Please clarify the facts regarding the following points.
(1) About the face recognition system itself
- When did JR East start considering it?
- what is the current status of the system (number of cameras in operation, facilities such as stations, etc.)?
- If you are using face recognition technology to detect suspicious persons, what kind of database are you using for the detection? Also, please explain the specific method of cooperation with the database.
(2) In the “JR East News” dated July 6, it is stated that “In introducing face recognition technology, we are taking measures in accordance with laws and regulations after consulting with the Personal Information Protection Committee Secretariat. ”
- When and what kind of “consultation” was conducted and what kind of response was obtained.
- What are the specifics of “measures taken in accordance with laws and regulations.”
- What other considerations were made regarding the rights of users, such as the pros and cons of introducing face recognition technology and the right to privacy?