********* From: rmsat_private (Richard M. Smith) To: "Declan McCullagh" <declanat_private> Subject: Yahoo - Viisage Technology Offers FBI Free Use of Face Recognition Technology to Aid Investigation Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 14:33:43 -0400 This Viisage press release just went across the wires. Visage is feeling pretty happy today with their stock price having more than doubled. However, I'm a bit confused how face scanning systems can help locate terrorist. Terrorists aren't exactly lining up to have their pictures taken to be put in a photo database. Richard http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010917/172450_1.html Viisage Technology Offers FBI Free Use of Face Recognition Technology to Aid Investigation LITTLETON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2001--Viisage Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VISG - news), the leader in face-recognition technology and identification systems and solutions that improve security and conveniently protect personal privacy, announced that it has offered the FBI free use of Viisage's face-recognition technology to aid in the apprehension or identification of the persons responsible for the terrorism in New York City and Washington. This offer was made in writing to the FBI and was disclosed on a CNET news interview Friday by Viisage President and CEO, Tom Colatosti. ``It is clear that the use of face-recognition technology can make a real difference in identifying terrorists. Our technology was used with great success at Super Bowl XXXV, where the security concerns were similar,'' said Mr. Colatosti. He went on to say, ``We are facing a national tragedy, unlike anything America has ever endured - our prayers and sympathies go out to all the families and friends of all the innocent victims. While there is now much interest in our technology, we in no way want to profit off the pain and death of our fellow Americans. While so many are so generously giving so much - thousands of relief volunteers working tirelessly around the clock, ordinary citizens donating food and blood, and Corporations giving financial gifts, we want to give what we are able to uniquely contribute.'' Viisage Technology is the world leader in biometric face-recognition technology and identification systems and solutions that enhance consumer convenience, improve security and protect personal privacy. Originally developed at MIT, Viisage's patented, accurate, non-intrusive and cost-effective face-recognition technology is widely acknowledged for its unmatched performance including speed in real-time applications, scalability for managing large image databases, and systems integration for complete customer solutions. Viisage provides a full family of face recognition products. FaceEXPLORER(TM) is a powerful and scalable image retrieval and analysis database product, used to combat identity fraud -- it is implemented in the world's largest face recognition system with more than eight million enrolled images. FaceFINDER(TM), acclaimed for its processing speed, is the industry's most widely implemented surveillance and identification system -- it is installed in more than 80 casinos worldwide and has been deployed to improve security at premier sporting events. FaceNET(TM) provides secure authentication for PC, Internet and e-commerce connections. FacePIN(TM) offers consumers convenient and private verification for point-of-sale transactions such as ATMs. FacePASS(TM) is a practical security solution for keyless entry to secure facilities, such as offices, dormitories and government facilities. FaceTOOLS(TM) is a leadership Software Developers Kit that enables application providers the ability to develop and customize unique customer and market applications. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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