U.S. Civl Rights Commission to Publish Federal FRT Report

The United States Commission on Civil Rights will publish a report on “The Civil Rights Implications of the Federal Use of Facial Recognition Technology” this month, announcing in a press release that the report explores “concerns about the federal government’s unrestricted use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT).” The report will also recommendations with respect to regulations and best practices.

The Commission held a public briefing on FRT’s civil rights implications in March of this year, calling for testimony from academics, legal and tech experts, and government representatives. Officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) declined to testify.

The United States Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan federal agency established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Its primary purpose is to investigate, report on, and make recommendations concerning civil rights issues in the United States.

The Commission’s main functions include investigating allegations of discrimination, monitoring federal civil rights law enforcement, and evaluating the need for improvements in these laws. It operates through a structure of eight commissioners appointed by the President and Congress, ensuring bipartisan representation. The USCCR also maintains advisory committees in each state and several territories to provide local insights on civil rights matters.

While the Commission itself doesn’t have enforcement powers, its work can influence federal civil rights policies and enforcement practices, though the impact of its recommendations and reports can vary depending on the receptiveness of the current administration and Congress to its findings.

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September 3, 2024 – by Alex Perala