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Was Your Photo and License Plate Number Breached?
CBD Reports 100,000 Photo and License Plate Breach The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported today that nearly 100,000 travelers’ photos and license plate data were breached. If you’ve driven in or out of the country within the six-week period where the data was exposed, you could have been victimized. The department said on […]
Was Your Photo and License Plate Number Breached?
BYDaniel De Steno|June 11, 2019|Business IT Articles, News, and Tips
CBD Reports 100,000 Photo and License Plate Breach
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported today that nearly 100,000 travelers’ photos and license plate data were breached. If you’ve driven in or out of the country within the six-week period where the data was exposed, you could have been victimized.
The department said on June 10th that the breach stemmed from an attack on a federal subcontractor. CBP learned of the breach on May 31st.
CBP report:
“Initial reports indicate that the traveler images involved fewer than 100,000 people; photographs were taken of travelers in vehicles entering and exiting the United States through a few specific lanes at a single land border Port of Entry over a 1.5 month period.”
CBP hasn’t reported when this 6-week period was.
Who Was The Subcontractor That Was Affected By The Breach?
CBP hasn’t said who the subcontractor was either. But the Register reports that the vehicle license plate reader company Perceptics based in Tennessee was hacked. And, these files have been posted online.
Additionally, the Washington Post reports that an emailed statement was delivered to reporters with the title: “CBP Perceptics Public Statement.”
Perceptics’ technology is used for border security, electronic toll collection, and commercial vehicle security. They collect data from images on license plates, including the number, plate type, state, time stamps and driver images.
Where Were The License Plate Readers Installed?
Perceptics license plate readers were installed at 43 U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint lanes in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
CBP reports that “No passport or other travel document photographs were compromised and no images of airline passengers from the air entry/exit process were involved.”
CBP uses cameras and video recordings at land border crossings and airports. The images they capture are used as part of a growing agency facial-recognition program designed to track the identity of people entering and exiting the U.S.
Do We Know Whose Data Was Exposed?
No, we don’t. And to date, CBP hasn’t said if this data will be released. If we hear differently, we’ll be sure to report any updates, so keep watching this space.
Is Facial-Recognition A Security Threat?
Facial-recognition is a hot topic right now. The American Civil Liberties Union states:
“This incident further underscores the need to put the brakes on these efforts and for Congress to investigate the agency’s data practices. The best way to avoid breaches of sensitive personal data is not to collect and retain such data in the first place.”
Congressional lawmakers have questioned whether the government’s expanded surveillance with facial recognition could threaten constitutional rights and open millions to identity theft.
Today’s technology can recognize and track us without our knowledge or an option to prevent it. It’s inevitable that a new battle between surveillance and privacy will be taking place as more breaches occur.
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This Agreement was entered between NOVA Computer Solutions L.L.C. referred to as “NOVA” and the above referenced client also referred to as “Client”. The parties agree to abide by the terms and conditions as set forth in this agreement.
Period of the Agreement: This Agreement is effective as of the contract effective date and remains in effect for 36 months. The contract is renewed automatically after the initial 36 months on a 12 month basis. Upon termination there shall be no refund or credits allowed.
System Maintenance Services: Professional services include, but are not limited to time spent – either at Client or NOVA’s site. (a) Exclusions: Unless so specified, the Covered System does not include any cabling, or any wiring external to the Covered System, telecommunications devices (including modems), peripheral equipment, software. In no event shall the Covered System include removable magnetic or optical media, ink ribbons, toner cartridges, paper or other supplies, expendables or services.
System Maintenance Services: NOVA shall perform Virtual Maintenance Services at least once per month. If client experiences a Major Alarms the client will notify NOVA by telephone. Client shall cooperate with NOVA’s reasonable requests for assistance to determine the cause of the reported problem and whether an on-site Maintenance Service visit is required. NOVA may assist Client with additional services outside the scope of the Maintenance Services. This assistance will be billed at NOVA’s prevailing hourly rate.
Fees: The monthly Fee shall be invoiced in full at the beginning of every month. Any other amounts due hereunder, including the applicable Surcharge Rate or any reimbursable out-of-pocket costs, shall be invoiced monthly as well. The rate for additional time needed per month for System Maintenance Services will depend on the package you select. No Travel Cost Within in 25 Miles of Primary Support Office, Discounted Rate for over 25 miles.
Certain Client Responsibilities: Client shall ensure that: (I) all software and hardware is installed and operated according to applicable manufacturer specifications; (ii) all upgrades and releases have been properly installed; (iii) a uninterrupted and suitable power supply and other environmental conditions have been implemented and maintained; (iv) suitable surge protection devices have been implemented; (v) no other equipment or software having an adverse impact on the system have been introduced; (vi) no repair attempts or other changes have been made other than by or with the express approval of NOVA or the applicable manufacturer, (vii) the systems haven’t been mishandled, neglected, abused, damaged by fire, lightning or water, or otherwise subjected to unusual electrical or physical stress (viii) Client periodically makes and stores in a safe place archival copies of all software and all valuable data. (a) Failure to Comply. NOVA may refuse to provide Service or may treat any such work as Other Billable Maintenance Service at NOVA’s prevailing hourly rate.
Cancellation Policy: NOVA or Customer may cancel this contract for any reason with 90 days written notification.
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