CEO of face-recognition firm resigns
Viisage Technology, a provider of face-recognition technology, says its CEO and president has resigned. After three years of running the company, Thomas Colatosti announced he will step down June 1, with plans to "pursue charitable and other business interests." Colatosti will help recruit a successor and continue to consult with the company on future strategies. Chairman Denis Berube will assume Colatosti's responsibilities until a new chief is hired. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Littleton, Mass.-based Viisage and rivals have stepped into the spotlight as national security becomes a top priority for lawmakers and airports. Viisage's technology uses biometrics, or the digital analysis of characteristics such as facial structure, fingerprints and iris patterns taken through cameras or scanners. The data is matched, for example, to profiles in databases of suspected terrorists. Although the technology has been heralded for its importance in capturing alleged terrorists, it has also been criticized for its potential inaccuracy.
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Littleton, Mass.-based Viisage and rivals have stepped into the spotlight as national security becomes a top priority for lawmakers and airports. Viisage's technology uses biometrics, or the digital analysis of characteristics such as facial structure, fingerprints and iris patterns taken through cameras or scanners. The data is matched, for example, to profiles in databases of suspected terrorists. Although the technology has been heralded for its importance in capturing alleged terrorists, it has also been criticized for its potential inaccuracy.