The concerns arising out of the use of face recognition technology by the government at various places/facilities has been around since the news of such technology broke out in mass media. The question of whether or how much it is harmful is the one seeking attention.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) published an article today titled “Activists Worldwide Face Off Against Face Recognition: 2019 Year in Review”. The author summarily included the reaction among activists worldwide to the face recognition technology’s use by the authorities. The article touches on the fear of activists that face recognition data would be leaked, leading to endangerment of the subjects. Thus the activists are trying to pressure authorities into giving up or at least restricting face recognition data use.
As we look forward to 2020, the tensions between the government’s use of this technology for public safety and individuals’ right to privacy will continue to heighten.
Despite the concerns, face recognition technology can certainly provide useful means to apprehend culprits involved in crimes, locate missing people as happened in India, and possibly stop the business of international human smuggling via illegal border-crossings—to name a few.
At the end of the day, it’ll be safe to say that it’s the use or abuse of any technology that makes it either a boon or a menace.
