Should we worry about real-time facial recognition systems?

Real time face recognition systems are no longer speculative – they have become a real-world security solution with some powerful and practical applications. However, the rise of this technology also raises some interesting ethical questions. So should you worry about how it will affect your daily life?

We’ve all seen and probably ridiculed horror movies in which intelligence agencies or police can zoom in on a face in a blurry security video, making the image clear. with the touch of a button and match that face to one of the 7.8 billion people on Earth in seconds. Facebook users may be familiar with the social network’s own facial recognition software, which performed similar searches on users’ photos and was recently shut down.”as part of a company-wide move to limit the use of facial recognition in our products. ”

Police departments around the world and especially in the United States, have purchased facial recognition solutions despite their flaws [subscription required]and Amazon created a huge private surveillance network thanks to the facial recognition software in its Ring doorbell. It seems that what was once science fiction is not only a reality, but is becoming an integral part of modern security systems around the world.

However, advances in the field raise some pressing ethical questions, which the industry must be ready to answer as adoption rates rise. In particular, there are growing concerns about the possibility of these systems being used by bad actors to carry out fraudulent activities. Privacy campaigners also raised concerns about the technology, while others wondered if it could be used to influence human rights in the near future. So the question is whether the rest of us should be worried.

How does the real-time facial recognition system work?

Real-time facial recognition systems come in many forms, but most follow a similar operating model. Use artificial intelligence (AI), these solutions first detect the presence of a face in the image. Next, the real-time facial recognition system works to analyze the detected face and generate a number of associated data points, which can be used to identify individuals with each other. Finally, the system will compare these data points with pre-existing records and will, in turn, be able to recognize the person in the frame.

What are the benefits of a real-time facial recognition system?

There’s a reason why real-time facial recognition systems are becoming increasingly popular. These solutions provide a much more advanced layer of security to protect businesses and individuals. In contrast to traditional CCTV technology, the real-time facial recognition system allows for more pre-deployed security measures. For example, these solutions can be used to identify known or suspected threats before a crime is committed, allowing for proactive rather than reactive security measures.

The implications of this benefit alone are enormous. With a real-time facial recognition system, the risk of terrorist acts can be greatly reduced. Businesses can also use these systems to reduce the risk of theft. For police and national security services, this technology also provides a powerful tool in the battle to locate fugitives or escapees who can avoid detection. and commit other crimes. In addition, real-time facial recognition systems can be used to help search for missing people more efficiently.

Why are people interested in real-time facial recognition systems?

Despite these benefits, there is the potential for real-time facial recognition systems to be misused, especially if the technology falls into the wrong hands or to the wrong number of people.

These solutions require the creation of databases to store information that can be used to identify individuals. The sheer number of security breaches by major companies and governments over the past year alone should leave anyone doubting whether this information can be properly secured. Unfortunately, if a breach occurs, then criminals will have a powerful new tool for extortion and extortion.

For example, if a group of criminals wants to compromise the security of a particular company, they can use facial recognition software to find the identity of company employees and target them with hacking attempts. social work or personal blackmail. Are from public security camera often insecure, it would be fairly easy to track digital targets and potentially find intrusive information. Sadly, the possibilities for a well-organized and innovative criminal group to exploit the technology are endless.

How worried should you be about this technology?

As with any major technological advancement, real-time facial recognition systems offer both benefits and drawbacks that need to be carefully considered as the technology becomes more widely adopted. To the right, these solutions provide a more effective way for businesses, police and security services to mitigate threats and provide an effective tool in preventing crime. However, it is essential that the proper checks and balances are carried through the field to ensure that these are used only for good.

For most of us, real-time facial recognition systems are unlikely to massively alter day-to-day life and will help make us all safer in the long run. However, it is imperative that these systems, as well as the databases used to support them, be supported by network security measure. Without this protection, real-time facial recognition systems can be commanded and used by criminals to target innocent individuals and commit identity fraud on the Internet. scary tissue.

Bence Jendruszak is chief information officer at SEON.