Utah’s public safety commissioner defending use of facial recognition

Utah's public safety commissioner is defending the use of facial recognition software to scan the state's driver's license database in criminal investigations.

Commissioner Jess Anderson said yesterday that the use of the software to scan photos does a lot of good in helping to find criminals.

He added that information is referred to the requesting agency only if there is a likely match, and nothing at all is sent if there is only a partial match.

State lawmakers say they want to know more about the program, saying in a statement that they are eager to learn how the agency is protecting the privacy of Utahns.

Anderson says he is open to discussing the use of the software with those who have a concern.