Facial recognition trial by police in Australia delivered strong results. But was it an ethical success?

The Western Australian Police Force tested live facial recognition cameras in public, scanning over 900,000 faces to generate 209 alerts and 79 arrests. The trial also produced eight incorrect alerts caused by factors like darker skin and lighting conditions, while failing to report demographic performance or details about police watch lists. For students and researchers in criminal justice, public policy, and philosophy, these outcomes show that aggregate arrest numbers do not prove ethical success when privacy, demographic accuracy, and institutional accountability remain unaddressed.

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