DPS NEWS

Facial Recognition in Utah

The Facial Recognition System used by the Utah Statewide Information and Analysis Center (SIAC) is designed to be used in conjunction with an official law enforcement investigation. Law enforcement officers/agencies must provide information demonstrating an active investigation is ongoing. A case/department/intelligence report number and type of criminal investigation are required with every request for facial recognition assistance. The Driver License Division (DLD) does not disseminate this information.

The results of a submission are for lead purposes only, and any further confirmation as to the identity of the submission shall be the sole responsibility of the requestor. 

Results and images of all submissions will be disseminated to the requesting agency and only the original request and case will be maintained on file. 

In the SIAC’s response to the Georgetown University GRAMA request, there were 1,907 requests for Facial Recognition assistance from law enforcement for the period October of 2015 through November 2017. This includes local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. This is an approximate average of 18 requests for assistance each week.

During the same period, 49 requests for facial recognition were made by ICE. Less than 10% of those resulted in a positive hit. Meaning 90% of the time no information was given to the requestor.

The information sent to Georgetown University is attached below.