An investigation by the Electronic Frontier Foundation is shining a spotlight on a US government program developing algorithms that can identify similar tattoos from images, for use by the FBI and law enforcement. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been conducting research into tattoo recognition technology since 2014. The algorithms developed by the NIST could be used by law enforcement to link individuals in gangs, but also people affiliated with the same religious or political groups. The NIST denied that the FBI tattoo database contained any other identifying information, and said its research does not come under federal regulations.”]