NSA collecting 'millions' of faces from web
Iran Press TV
Mon Jun 2, 2014 12:9AM
The US National Security Agency has been collecting millions of electronic images from the internet for its facial-recognition program, according to the classified documents obtained from American whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The images are collected from emails, text messages, social media, videoconferences and other communications, the New York Times reported.
The US spy agency has in the past four years significantly increased its reliance on a new software which can recognize faces, the report added.
The software allows NSA to intercept millions of images daily, including some 55,000 "facial recognition quality images."
The documents show the NSA is now focusing on facial images and fingerprints rather than written and oral communications.
NSA officials say the sophisticated technology can revolutionize the way the agency can find its intelligence targets throughout the world.
Based on privacy and surveillance laws, the spy agency is not allowed to collect facial images without court approval. The report claims the images may be collected from communications involving foreigners.
The revelations by Snowden about Washington's mass spying activities have sparked strong and angry reactions from many people across the globe.
Many civil rights activists have drawn a parallel between the NSA spying program and the activities of the secret police during the communist East Germany and the Nazi era.
DT/DT
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