In a covert move, Israel has reportedly implemented a large-scale facial recognition program in the Gaza Strip, creating a database of Palestinians without their knowledge or consent.
What Happened: The program, which was initiated after the Oct. 7 attacks, uses technology from Alphabet Inc.’s Google Photos and a custom tool developed by the Tel Aviv-based company Corsight to identify individuals associated with Hamas, reported The Verge (via New York Times).
The facial recognition program was developed in parallel with Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Following the Oct. 7 attacks, officers within the Israeli military’s Unit 8200, the primary intelligence unit of the Israeli Defense Forces, identified potential targets by analyzing security camera footage and videos uploaded by Hamas on social media, the report noted.
Palestinian prisoners were also reportedly asked to identify individuals from their communities affiliated with Hamas.