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Researchers recently learned that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement used facial recognition on millions of driver’s licence photographs without the licence-holders’ knowledge, the latest revelation about governments employing the technology in ways that threaten civil liberties. But the surveillance potential of facial recognition — its ability to create a “perpetual lineup” — isn’t the only cause for concern. The technological frontiers being explored by questionable researchers and unscrupulous start-ups recall the discredited pseudosciences of physiognomy and phrenology, which purport to use facial structure and head shape to assess character and mental capacity. Artificial intelligence and modern computing are giving new life and a veneer of objectivity to these debunked theories, which were once used to legitimise slavery and perpetuate Nazi race “science”. Those who wish to spread essentialist theories of racial hierarchy are paying attention. In one blog, for ex...

Business Standard : A 32-year-old rickshaw driver was arrested for allegedly raping his 10-year-old niece in east Delhi's Shakarpur area Sunday, police said. The girl was allegedly raped by the accused at her residence, when her parents were away, they added. Initially, the police were informed that the girl was raped at her uncle's residence, but later, it was learnt that she was raped at her residence. She told her parents about the incident, following which the police were informed. A case was registered and the girl was sent for a medical examination, which confirmed rape. BS

The body of a 39-year-old bank executive , who went missing five days ago, was found and a person has been arrested in connection with the death, which appears to be a fallout of professional rivalry, police said Monday. A 20-year-old cab driver, Sarfaraz Shaikh alias Rais, a resident of Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai, was allegedly hired to kill Siddharth Sanghavi , a vice-president with a top private bank who went missing on September 5 evening, they said. Shaikh has been arrested, while four other people, including a woman, have been detained in connection with the case, the police added. The accused driver was initially detained by the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch and handed over to the Mumbai Police, which placed him under arrest, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Tushar Doshi said. "We found his role in hatching the conspiracy, murder and destroying Sanghavi's body," he said.The car used in the crime was found parked near Shaikh's residence, he s...