Bullet vending machines have recently been installed in some grocery stores, and there are increasing concerns from the senators who want them banned. These machines are operating in some of the US states such as Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, among others. This allows the client to purchase bullets as they shops for other food products.
The bullets are available for various guns and weapons, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. American Rounds company brought them into the market with the support of AI for face recognition of identity and age. This innovation enables the buyers to get the ammunition by using their faces to scan. However, there are growing concerns of the public and the government over the dangers and legal concerns that come with the use of these devices.
Lawmakers question effectiveness of biometric age verification
Recently, Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren raised these concerns in a letter to Steven Dettelbach, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The senators highlighted the risks of such machines, especially in the context of the existing gun violence in the United States.
The letter raised concerns over the accuracy of the facial recognition technology which is used in these vending machines. Even though the technology is intended to check on the buyer’s identity and age, it has been portrayed to be ineffective. Research has also pointed out that facial recognition is un reliable and can produce false results, especially in the case of people of color.
According to a study conducted in 2019 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, commercial facial recognition technologies are not very accurate and perform worse when dealing with Black and Asian individuals. These findings have created doubts about the ability of the technology to ensure that only the right persons buy ammunition.
The senators also claimed that these machines may also make it easier for people with dubious intentions, including those that can harm others, to have access to ammunition. They called on the ATF to take action under federal law to ban these machines from supermarkets and other retail stores accessible to the public.
American Rounds pushes forward with expansion plans
However, American Rounds is continuing to increase the number of bullet dispensing kiosks throughout the country. The company plans to launch these machines in California and other regions of the American West, as per the news. This expansion occurs at a time when the application of biometric technology across different industries is being scrutinized more closely.
Face recognition and biometrics are used in various fields to verify the identity of individuals. This technology has been adopted in airports, train services, and payment systems to enhance speed and security. However, there have been some issues and concerns with technology.
In the UK, a woman was denied entry into shops that used facial recognition software after the system wrongfully accused her of theft. Such cases have therefore given rise to doubts concerning the effectiveness of biometric systems in operations that are sensitive as the sale of ammunition for instance.
There are also concerns among cybersecurity professionals that biometric data is highly vulnerable to cyber threats. The increased use of deepfakes created by AI has made the misuse of facial recognition technology more alarming.
