A recent "investigation" by The Washington Post revealed that IDF soldiers serving in Judea and Samaria have access to a new facial recognition app that can help them identify whether a Palestinian person crossing the checkpoint is dangerous.
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The system is based on hundreds of thousands of photos of Palestinians that recognizes the faces and matches them to existing profiles, which are updated by the Shin Bet security agency. Once matched, the app will flash green, yellow, or red depending on the level of danger.
Why "investigation" in quotes? Because it seems that this article was submitted to the reputable newspaper along with a pile of cash by a left-wing Israeli organization.
We are all familiar with these groups and their self-destructive tendencies, so there is nothing new here. But what is intriguing is the description of the app by one of the interviewees, who recently completed her army service: a "total violation of privacy of an entire people."
Wake up, soldier. I do not know how much time you spent in the bunker, but things have changed in the meantime. In the year 2021 nobody has privacy. It is a precious right that was destroyed along with the Twin Towers. Some miss it and hate Islamic terrorism for robbing them of it, others understand that there is truly no other choice.
I assume that this soldier has a Facebook page, and therefore, no privacy. I am sure that she too sees ads on her phone about subjects she just happened to speak to with a friend. I am certain she knows there are surveillance cameras on every corner and biometric passports embedded with electronic chips and that her location is known at all times. Then why all the nonsense?
Is the invasion of privacy she referred to directed against "an entire people," as she put it? As it says in The Washington Post article, the collection of faces focuses only on Palestinians. It seems that the Israel Police does not have such a collection to aid the fight against pedophiles or criminal organizations. Perhaps it would be a good thing, but in the meantime, Palestinians are the ones who declared war on Israel through terrorism against innocent civilians.
Invasion of privacy is the softest of means Israel can use to protect itself from that war. Such a measure is disproportionate compared to the threat. We are too good, too soft. Invasion of privacy, which does not exist in the modern world anyway, is not a violation of human rights. It is barely a violation.
Moreover, it is possible that the application will benefit Palestinians because those whose profiles will flash green will be able to pass the checkpoint quicker and easier. There will be no more long lines at the site, just scan, green light, go.
A similar technology is being used in airports, by the way. Scan your passport and proceed without having to wait in line. There is a blessing in this technology as well. Do you prefer not to have your photograph taken? Then move to Congo.
About that, we are being told that the human rights of Palestinians are being violated and that the situation is unbearable. So if it really is that bad here, then why are the Palestinians not leaving this hell? Bon voyage!
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