What is facial recognition and how does it work?
Voice recognition is a popular technology for identifying and identifying individuals based on how they speak, similar to the game "Guess who?" in the world of high technology. Normally, the system will record the voice, then use artificial intelligence to compare it with stored voice data to determine who the speaker is. This helps create an effective means of authenticating and identifying users in voice dictionary applications to high-end security systems.
Benefits of facial recognition
Although facial recognition can be fraught with privacy issues (which will be discussed shortly), it does offer many benefits. Here are some of those benefits.
Assist in finding missing or wanted people: Facial recognition technology can help inform police of potential matches in search of missing people. Similarly, police can use this technology to identify wanted people.
Prevention and fight against crime: In the field of prevention, stores can identify repeat shoplifters and take measures against them. Facial recognition technology can act as a deterrent.
Improved security: In banks and airports, facial recognition can improve security by identifying people with criminal records or associated security risks. For crimes like identity theft, facial recognition is more difficult to fool than the human eye.
Convenient life: In searching for photos in your phone, facial recognition helps group photos according to the person present in them. In fact, it also helps in entering buildings seamlessly and performing tasks without the need for keys or passwords.
Streamline processes: By reducing the number of contacts, facial recognition can streamline processes. For example, when applying for a bank loan, a facial scan can improve your credit score and get your loan approved in no time.
Privacy concerns about facial recognition
If facial recognition is just a side of science fiction, then the cautionary tale behind it needs to be shared — the technology comes with its own set of privacy concerns.
Agree:
It's very likely that you don't know whether your facial data is being collected and analyzed. Even if you know, withdrawing consent is not always easy.
Improper data storage:
As more places rely on facial recognition, your face may appear on more databases. If these databases are not properly encrypted, malicious actors can access your biometric data.
Data abuse:
If the biometric database is hacked, your likeness could be used for identity theft or worse. Unlike a password breach, you can't change your facial features if someone steals your biometric data.
Wrong identification:
Facial recognition is not perfect. Shadows, angles, and even algorithmic bias can lead to the misidentification of innocent people, subjecting them to closer scrutiny.
Erosion of civil liberties:
The widespread use of facial recognition technology could enable mass surveillance, erode anonymity in public spaces, and potentially infringe on civil liberties.