TheftJune 24, 2021
Interpol’s ID ART App is launched
On May 6th Interpol announced the launch of an app that will help identify stolen cultural property, reduce illicit trafficking, and increase the chances of recovering stolen works and artefacts.
Using cutting-edge image-recognition software INTERPOL’s ID-Art app enables users ranging from law enforcement to the general public to get mobile access to the INTERPOL database of stolen works of art, create an inventory of private art collections and report cultural sites potentially at risk.
ID-Art users can instantly check if an object is among the more than 52,000 items currently registered as stolen in INTERPOL’s Stolen Works of Art database. It also enables users to record the geographical location, a detailed description and images in order to capture the condition of a site. The app is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish and it is free to download from the (Android or Google) Play Store and the (Apple) App Store.
“In recent years we’ve witnessed the unprecedented ransack by terrorists of the cultural heritage of countries arising from armed conflict, organized looting and cultural cleansing,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock.
The President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Alberto Garlandini, said: "Heritage worldwide is at risk from natural disaster, looting or conflict. By facilitating on-the-go access to INTERPOL’s stolen works of art database, and by using ICOM’s Object ID to create cultural property inventories, INTERPOL is providing museum professionals and private citizens alike with a much needed and innovative tool to protect heritage at risk."
“Interpol’s new ID-Art App is a major milestone in the international fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Indeed it is both preventive and reactive as it allows everyone to record cultural objects and sites into the app. This has the potential to improve due diligence practices with potential buyers of cultural artefacts,” said Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Culture.
For more information visit: https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2021/INTERPOL-launches-app-to-better-protect-cultural-heritage.
Using cutting-edge image-recognition software INTERPOL’s ID-Art app enables users ranging from law enforcement to the general public to get mobile access to the INTERPOL database of stolen works of art, create an inventory of private art collections and report cultural sites potentially at risk.
ID-Art users can instantly check if an object is among the more than 52,000 items currently registered as stolen in INTERPOL’s Stolen Works of Art database. It also enables users to record the geographical location, a detailed description and images in order to capture the condition of a site. The app is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish and it is free to download from the (Android or Google) Play Store and the (Apple) App Store.
“In recent years we’ve witnessed the unprecedented ransack by terrorists of the cultural heritage of countries arising from armed conflict, organized looting and cultural cleansing,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock.
The President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Alberto Garlandini, said: "Heritage worldwide is at risk from natural disaster, looting or conflict. By facilitating on-the-go access to INTERPOL’s stolen works of art database, and by using ICOM’s Object ID to create cultural property inventories, INTERPOL is providing museum professionals and private citizens alike with a much needed and innovative tool to protect heritage at risk."
“Interpol’s new ID-Art App is a major milestone in the international fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Indeed it is both preventive and reactive as it allows everyone to record cultural objects and sites into the app. This has the potential to improve due diligence practices with potential buyers of cultural artefacts,” said Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Culture.
For more information visit: https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2021/INTERPOL-launches-app-to-better-protect-cultural-heritage.
