Police test facial recognition in Oregon. But privacy advocates have serious concerns.

Drew Harwell on the implications of using facial-recognition software in police work. Amie Ferris-Rotman on Afghanistan’s first lady speaking out for women’s rights. Plus, Deanna Paul on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Thursday, May 2, 2019
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Police are using facial-recognition software to help identify suspects. But what if it’s wrong?
Amazon’s facial-recognition software, Rekognition, is being used by a county sheriff’s office in Oregon to identify suspects. But there are lots of concerns about accuracy, and the potential for bias.

Drew Harwell covers artificial intelligence for The Post, and he spent time with investigators to see how they’re using the technology. It can be much more efficient than old-school policing techniques. But there are privacy concerns, and research shows facial-recognition software is less accurate at identifying darker-skinned faces.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and chief executive, also owns The Post.

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Afghanistan’s first lady begins a movement
The United States made a case for the war on terrorism, in part, because of activism around protecting women’s rights in Afghanistan. That rhetoric was largely “lip service,” according to Amie Ferris-Rotman, a foreign correspondent for The Post.

Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban are taking place in Doha, Qatar, this week, but Afghanistan and its women are being sidelined. Afghan first lady Rula Ghani is trying to change that by creating a movement in which women make their voices heard.

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Remembering an Auschwitz survivor amid recent synagogue shootings
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, reporter Deanna Paul reflects on her family history and what happens as survivors begin to die.

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Police test facial recognition in Oregon. But privacy advocates have serious concerns.

Drew Harwell on the implications of using facial-recognition software in police work. Amie Ferris-Rotman on Afghanistan’s first lady speaking out for women’s rights. Plus, Deanna Paul on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Thursday, May 2, 2019
Loading...
Police are using facial-recognition software to help identify suspects. But what if it’s wrong?
Amazon’s facial-recognition software, Rekognition, is being used by a county sheriff’s office in Oregon to identify suspects. But there are lots of concerns about accuracy, and the potential for bias.

Drew Harwell covers artificial intelligence for The Post, and he spent time with investigators to see how they’re using the technology. It can be much more efficient than old-school policing techniques. But there are privacy concerns, and research shows facial-recognition software is less accurate at identifying darker-skinned faces.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and chief executive, also owns The Post.

More on this topic:

Afghanistan’s first lady begins a movement
The United States made a case for the war on terrorism, in part, because of activism around protecting women’s rights in Afghanistan. That rhetoric was largely “lip service,” according to Amie Ferris-Rotman, a foreign correspondent for The Post.

Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban are taking place in Doha, Qatar, this week, but Afghanistan and its women are being sidelined. Afghan first lady Rula Ghani is trying to change that by creating a movement in which women make their voices heard.

More on this topic:

Remembering an Auschwitz survivor amid recent synagogue shootings
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, reporter Deanna Paul reflects on her family history and what happens as survivors begin to die.

More on this topic:
Previous Episode

Devlin Barrett on Attorney General William P. Barr’s testimony. Maria Sacchetti on the Trump administration saying it may charge asylum seekers looking for refuge. Plus, Rick Maese on what happened when a female runner’s hormones came under scrutiny.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
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Heather Long on why President Trump’s presumed nominee stepped away from the Federal Reserve Board. DeNeen L. Brown on the enslaved African woman documented in Jamestown. Plus, Rachel Hatzipanagos on co-workers of color who are confused for each other.

Friday, May 3, 2019
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