Politics

Anti-terror measures: too invasive or necessary evil?

Jun 09, 2017

It's not candid camera, it's facial recognition technology.

If you catch public transport, be prepared to smile because soon, you’ll be on camera.

Facial recognition technology is on track for execution on all public transport including trains, trams and buses at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next year.

The technology could soon become a fixture at other major sporting and public events across the country according to News Corp Australia.

The Federal Government is already looking for ways to beef up security at mass-gatherings following the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to discuss the issue with State premiers in Hobart today as the Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG) look at security upgrades at major venues, including barriers and cameras.

In a bid to identify potential terror suspects before they can get close to any sporting or public venue, the sophisticated technology will be linked into the network – platforms and major stops included.

During the 11-day event, the technology will be monitored around the clock by some of the more than 10,000 security personnel hired to ensure the Games run smoothly as 1.5 million spectators are expected to attend.

The Australian Federal Police is behind the project and are hoping their test run at the Games will be a success.

They set their sites on the Gold Coast due to the city’s already high-level use of CCTV cameras in the expectation that suspects could be identified in a crowd with rapid response police and military deployed before the suspect could get close to any of the events.

While security planning continues for the Games on the basis of a “worst case scenario” police sources told News Corp the only sticking point during their once-a-month security meetings has been: who’s going to pay for the roll out?

Facial recognition technology was first introduced in the US in secret at the 2001 Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Florida.

One hundred thousand football fans faces were scanned and crossmatched with a database of known criminals.

While technology has advanced dramatically and 3D imagery from crowd scans can be captured and matched in real time – it’s already being used in Australia, including airports.

News Corp confirmed 4,200 private security guards would be used for the Games as well as more than 3,500 Queensland police, 2,000 Australian Defence Force personnel (including Black Hawk helicopter riding special forces, navy divers, rooftop snipers and explosives experts), and 200 specialist AFP officers notably from intelligence and command and control.

An additional $34 million has already been allocated by the Federal Government in funding for the ADF security component for the event.