U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Monday that hackers last month stole license plate photos and traveler images collected for airport facial recognition systems. They blame this on a subcontractor; this person allegedly violated a contract by moving the material to their company network, claimed CBP.
“As of today, none of the image data has been identified on the Dark Web or internet,” CBP said. “CBP has alerted Members of Congress and is working closely with other law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity entities, and its own Office of Professional Responsibility to actively investigate the incident,” they said in a statement.
The breach reportedly occurred on May 31.
More and more airports nationwide are using facial recognition systems.
Don’t be too surprised if you see politicians taking note of this reported breach. In fact, criticism and skepticism of facial recognition will likely come from both sides of the aisle. It already has.
“This stuff freaks me out,” Rep. Rashia Tlaib (D-Mich.) said in a Tuesday hearing at the House Oversight and Reform Committee. “I’m a little freaked out by facial recognition.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) also voiced skepticism.
[Image via Joe Raedle/Getty Images]