Facial Recognition: Convenience and Security vs Privacy

A man with a faint beard is holding and looking intently at his smartphone, using facial recognition, with an expression of focus and slight curiosity, in an indoor setting with soft lighting.
A man with a faint beard is holding and looking intently at his smartphone, using facial recognition, with an expression of focus and slight curiosity, in an indoor setting with soft lighting.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Technology, over the past few years, has grown by leaps and bounds. Much of that new tech is going directly toward our places of work and even within our mobile devices. This has certainly made many aspects of our lives much more convenient. Still, speak with anyone utilizing this tech, and they will often state that they are unsure of having their facial recognition information in company systems.

Convenience

Convenience is one of the main reasons that this technology has been accepted so quickly by the public. It allows many of us to simply look at a machine and get on with our day. In fact, many large retailers in China are today utilizing this tech to allow people to make instant purchases. The machine scans your face, your food, and your credit card is charged. However, most people today are using facial recognition to open their phones. This has been said to be a great thing for drivers who constantly need to look at their phones. For others, it could mean not having to wash their hands while cooking to look at their notifications or check the time. Facial recognition is, no doubt, one of the most convenient technologies to enter the market.

Security

Schools are amongst the first to accept this technology software. This is due to the recent shootings and other crimes such as non-employees or family members leaving with children. Schools can now easily determine who should be on their grounds and who shouldn’t be. Facial recognition sources data from driver’s licenses and mugshot photos. This can also be used to prevent convicted felons, such as pedophiles, from entering these kinds of institutions. This same technology is now being implemented into workplaces in order to combat similar issues.

Privacy Concerns

Although convenience is a big plus for consumers, there are still fears that this tech might be misused by hackers or government officials. This means that there are a lot of people out there that might not even know that data centers have been developed to capture their face details, which raises privacy concerns. These concerns are genuine and ones that companies, along with government entities, have to answer to.

Fighting a battle with technology is one that is going to fail each and every time. However, an informed public must always be the goal in order to protect everyone’s safety and privacy. Take these tips into consideration next time you encounter a device with facial recognition.

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About T.R Powell

Technology writer and part-time blogger.

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