The RCMP was accused of presenting ‘evasive’ testimony to the Commons

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) met Monday morning to continue its study on the use and impact of this emerging technology.

The case continues, a year after the publication of a report by federal privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien, according to which RCMP’s use of facial recognition software produced by American company Clearview AI was a serious violation Canadian privacy laws.

This software allows users to compare images against a database of over three billion images.

In a series of difficult questions on Monday, NDP MP Matthew Green urged Gordon Sage, director general of the RCMP’s Specialized and Sensitive Investigation Services, to say who authorized the use of the RCMP software. RCMP in 2018 and who manages the process.

Can you name your predecessor?he asked her.

This simple, seemingly innocuous question sparked heated debate at the end where Chief Superintendent Sage finally declared that the officer in question had retired and he thought he had no right to name him.

You seem to pay more consideration to your predecessor’s right not to be identified – information that is nonetheless public order – than to the billions of people whose images have been compiled and analyzed by [Clearview AI]Mr. reward. Green, who mentioned a major issue of trust.

Warning for contempt in Parliament

Conservative MP James Bezan later described the committee responses MPs received from three RCMP officials called to testify as deliberately avoidingand reminded them that they could be contempt of Parliament if they did not cooperate.

Some of the responses we have received today have been very limited, and I suggest that witnesses exercise their responsibilities on this committee, as elected officials around this table enjoy parliamentary privilege and expect complete answers.did he declare.

Answering us briefly or avoiding does not help us fulfill our task as members of this committee.he pointed out.

The RCMP first denied the use of Clearview AI software, in 2020. They later confirmed the use of the software after hacking the company’s client list.

In the same year, a survey of New York Times revealed that the software has captured more than three billion photos from public websites, such as Facebook and Instagram. He then converted them into a database used by more than 600 organizations, in the United States, Canada and elsewhere.

The company stopped offering its face recognition services in Canada after the federal privacy commissioner launched an investigation. The RCMP also said it had stopped using the software.

The RCMP says they have used the technology only three times

Chief Superintendent Sage said Monday that the RCMP officially used the Clearview AI only three times, twice in the child exploitation unit and once to track a fugitive inside. foreigner.

if not, there are many members who test the technology to see if it works, said the senior RCMP officer. To do this, police often use their own photos or photos of celebrities, he said.

” In fact, while testing this technology, we realize that it is not always effective. “

Because of the Clearview AI affair, RCMP has promised to be more transparent about its use of new technologies and investigative tools regarding the collection and use of personal information.

This new policy should be published by the end of June.

Summoned by Commissioner Lucki

Before concluding their meeting on Monday, ETHI committee members agreed on the need to ask RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki to attend.

In my view, the RCMP has failed to demonstrate its ability to be loyal to civilian governing bodies such as the House of Commons and provide basic information to Canadians who care about their civil liberties.said MP Matthew Green.

Last week, Commissioner Therrien issued a statement calling on lawmakers to create rules that explicitly specify circumstances that might allow police to use facial recognition software.