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

  • Planning for Your Perimeter

    Planning for Your Perimeter

    The perimeter is an organization’s first line of defense and a critical element of any security and surveillance program. Even if a building’s interior or exterior security is strong, without a solid perimeter surveillance approach any company or business is vulnerable. Read Now

  • The Key Issue

    The Key Issue

    It is February 2014. A woman is getting ready in her room on a cruise ship when she hears a knock on the door; it is a crewmember delivering breakfast. She is not presentable so she tells him to leave it by the door. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Communications

    Achieving Clear Communications

    Technology within the security industry has adapted to numerous changes through the years, from the early days of analog devices to today’s IP-based solutions, networked cameras, and access control solutions, in addition to analytics, cloud-based products, virtual security guards, and more. Read Now

  • Taking Flight

    Taking Flight

    Airport security is a complex system that incorporates multiple technologies to ensure the safety and security of travelers, employees and the facility itself. Sound-based technologies are integral pieces of this system, providing means of communication, notification and monitoring. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • Genetec Security Center

    Genetec Security Center

    This major new release allows more system components to run in the cloud, reducing the gap between cloud and on-premises security systems. It also makes it easier to connect external systems and tap external data for use in dashboards, maps and investigations without relying on complex, specialized integrations. 3

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance. 3

  • Paxton10 CORE Cameras

    Paxton10 CORE Cameras

    The new CORE Series cameras feature edge processing for ultimate scalability, built-in edge storage, and plug-and-play installation. The addition of the CORE Series gives installers new hardware, better choice, and more value than ever before. 3