The Mall of America has recently introduced facial recognition technology in order to enhance security measures and track individuals who pose a threat or are of interest to law enforcement. This technology will specifically focus on those who are currently trespassing at the mall, individuals identified by law enforcement, those who are missing or potentially in danger, and people who may be causing harm to the environment.
To use this technology, photos of individuals of interest are uploaded into the recognition software, which then scans for matches to these images. If there is a positive match, the security team is alerted, leading to a further investigation by the Bloomington-based mall.
It’s important to note that this facial recognition technology does not track or store information on individuals who are not considered persons of interest. This feature is aimed at maintaining privacy and protecting individuals from unnecessary surveillance.
While this cutting-edge technology has many benefits, there have been some concerns raised regarding potential misidentification, particularly among people of color. Studies have shown that AI-based facial recognition has led to wrongful arrests and has lower accuracy rates when identifying young, Black, and female individuals.
To address these concerns, the Mall of America has trained its security personnel in traditional facial recognition techniques to ensure that alerts generated by the software are accurately analyzed. Following a human review process, mall officers will approach potential persons of interest and adhere to standard security protocols.
In contrast to neighboring Minneapolis where facial recognition technology was banned for police and city agencies in 2021, the Mall of America has chosen to use the services of Corsight AI, a vendor that has been tested and approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to the mall, Corsight AI has been found to be highly accurate in its identification capabilities with an accuracy rate of 99.3% in DHS testing. This indicates that it is by far the best option available for enhancing security measures at the Mall of America while prioritizing safety and privacy for all guests.
Overall, while there may be some concerns regarding potential misidentification using facial recognition technology
