Law enforcement agencies across the United States are adopting a new video analytics platform developed by Veritone called Track. Designed as a non-biometric alternative to facial recognition, Track enables authorities to monitor individuals based on physical characteristics such as body shape, hair color, clothing, and accessories.
Attribute-Based Tracking and Growing Adoption
Track is built to analyze surveillance footage and identify individuals using a combination of observable traits rather than facial biometrics. According to Veritone, the system is already in use by approximately 400 customers nationwide, including public safety agencies and educational institutions.
The technology reflects a broader trend among law enforcement agencies seeking new tools that comply with regulations limiting the use of facial recognition. Track’s reliance on non-biometric identifiers enables agencies to conduct video-based investigations without using face-matching algorithms. Veritone has indicated that future iterations of the system will support live video analysis and incorporate a broader range of physical attributes to enhance identification capabilities.
This is part of Veritone’s ongoing expansion in the AI-powered video analytics space. The company has previously worked on projects aimed at media analysis and object recognition, and Track represents a shift toward public safety applications. Veritone is also leveraging enhanced AI infrastructure to improve Track’s processing speed and scalability.
Regulatory Landscape and Privacy Considerations
As surveillance technology evolves, Track’s deployment has raised some questions about oversight frameworks and data privacy protections. While the system avoids the use of biometric data such as facial features, it still enables large-scale video tracking based on personal attributes. Civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have expressed concern that such tools may still pose risks to privacy if used without clear guardrails or transparency.
Veritone has framed the system as a lawful investigative tool intended to assist agencies in identifying patterns and locating persons of interest in compliance with local and federal regulations. Company leadership has stated that Track was developed in response to jurisdictions where the use of facial recognition is restricted or prohibited, offering an alternative method for video-based analysis.
Source: Technology Review
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June 2, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim
