Is Facial Recognition Being Used Correctly?

Is Facial Recognition Being Used Correctly?

Sometimes it’s hard to put a name with a familiar face, but Dr. Atick, a pioneer in the biometric industry, specializing in facial recognition, helped ensure that a face could never be forgotten. After investing in biometric technology in the early 90’s, he later sold his company, L-1 Identity, to a French military contractor for millions. Atick has spent his entire career promoting and profiting from this industry, but now, he’s worried about what he’s seeing taking place with this technology.

Walking around a biometrics security industry tradeshow as one of the organizers, Dr. Atick greeted industry representatives at their exhibit booths, but internally, he was pondering:

  • Do these companies have policies for retaining, using and reusing the facial data that they are capturing?
  • Is it possible for these companies to identify people without their consent?
  • Were these companies running face-matching queries for government agencies “under the radar?”

The concern is that facial recognition technology could be taken too far, allowing for mass surveillance where everyone is robbed of their anonymity. Dr. Atick realizes that we are all tracked online, but the street should remain a haven, where people carry out their daily lives in public without being exploited. This type of exploitation could go so far as to impede people’s normal behavior outside of their homes.

Because of this, Dr. Atick is on a mission to educate and convince this industry to create guidelines to make sure no one’s civil liberties are infringed upon. To do this, he suggests that companies:

  • Post public notices where they are using facial recognition;
  • Seek permission from a person before getting a faceprint and linking it to their name or a code number that uniquely identifies the individual; and
  • Use faceprints for the specific purposes they received permission for.

“Some people believe that I am inhibiting the industry from growing, said Dr. Atick to the New York Times. “I disagree. I am helping the industry make difficult choices, but the right choices.”

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.