Face recognition technology: innovative or invasive?


A noticeable backlash against facial recognition software has “reached a tipping point,” says NewScientist.

A number of people feel as if they’re sacrificing privacy for convenience – “people are excited about the innovation and convenience of technology, but are becoming increasingly mindful about how intrusive it is,” says Mariann Hardey of Durham University, U.K. to NewScientist.

U.S. politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has voiced her concerns about facial recognition software to NewScientist. She worries that letting facial recognition technology run wild will result in an “authoritarian surveillance state.”

In our right to privacy, this is about our right to our entire body.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to NewScientist

Large companies like Amazon are also starting to suffer as well, says NewScientist. Shareholders are shying away from Amazon’s Rekognition software, which is used by governments across the world. According to NewScientist, some of these former investors believe the Rekognition software is infringing on civil liberties.

You can read more about the problems with facial recognition software here: Backlash against facial recognition tech.


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6 thoughts on “Face recognition technology: innovative or invasive?”

  1. Thomas Joseph Hussman

    The Criminal Prosecution System in the USA is severely damaged. The Legal System, as it is referred to is in a state of chaos. See cases involving KIRK BLOODSWORTH and CRAIG COLEY. A problem with the FACIAL RECOGNITION technology is that its use is justified by the potential visit from a “criminal” who wanders into its sphere. What if the alleged criminal didn’t commit the crime in the first place? What if the technology identifies someone who has already been victimized by a failed legal system and is then re-victimized by a technology that bases its very existence on its ability to warn or identify potential dangerous persons? When is it justifiable to use one mistake to commit another? Do two wrongs equal one right? Enormous amounts of information about USA citizens is collected every minute by a government that is out of control. When is enough enough?

  2. AS IT IS SAID (IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME) AND ALSO TURE (IF THEY HAVE IT THEY WILL ABUSE IT) THIS IS THE CASE WITH ALL OF THE TOOLS THE SYSTEM USE. IF THERE WAS REEL ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEM IN THE SYSTEM .WE THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE MORE TRUST IN THE SYSTEM AND THEM THAT WORK FOR IT . BUT AS WE HAVE SEEN THESE LAST FEW YEARS IT IS TO BROKEN TO FIX, CANT GO ON AS IT IS . SO WHAT IT THE ANSWER ????

  3. I agree with George. Yes there will be lot of negative response but to breed the best out of every new change, one should understand the change well. Face/image recognition has made it a efficient one in case of security and surveillance under various industries.

    Most of the requirements for us from our clients has been to incorporate face recognition in their surveillance system, especially some governing bodies. These solutions are not a treat to the common people but are to those who are already marked by the law. https://www.zerone-consulting.com/Case-Study/Face-Recognition-Supports-Crime-Prevention.html

    But surveillance is not the only solution we can think of. Event planners can understand the response of the event, by detecting the emotions of their visitors which is actually an add-on to the face recognition technology. Thus emotion identity, entry pass-less program management etc. are few other solutions which are also not that dangerous to your privacy of the people.

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