Facial recognition technology has been around since the mid-1960s and has seen tremendous growth over the years. Applications can be found anywhere; tagging photos on social media, biometric locks, surveillance; the list is endless. While many of these may seem harmless and appear to facilitate efficiency for everyday tasks, scepticism on the technology has gained a greater foothold in past years. As the technology is achieving greater accuracy, privacy is becoming an increased concern. Some governments have set up permanent surveillance systems, collecting incredible amounts of data on citizens. While these systems are often claimed to provide safety on the streets, many are concerned about potential other uses of the data collected.
Worldwide, only a very limited number of countries have nation-wide bans in place: Belgium and Luxembourg. All other countries have no to very limited regulations regarding facial technology that should perhaps be reassessed. With America experiencing most of the uproar against the technology, action groups gained their first victory in 2019; San Francisco was the first American city to ban the private use of facial recognition technology. Now, a year and around ten additional city-wide bans later, the overall paradigm seems to be shifting even further. Recently, Portland was the first city in the US to completely ban facial recognition technology for both private and governmental use. This seems to have sparked more discussion on the regulations that should be in place regarding the technology.
Studies have found concerning indications of the effects of facial recognition in everyday settings. For example, Andrejevic & Selwyn (2019) present social challenges facial recognition can have in schools. It is found that upon integration of the technology, the nature of schools can become oppressive, authoritarian and divisive. Additionally, the technology is being mass deployed in law enforcement, without any scientific evidence that suspects can be better identified. In fact, it is imposing stronger biases on law enforcement as the technology fosters a false sense of security. These are only some of the examples that have been found now that facial technology is being integrated.
Based on these reasons, I would personally urge all governments to strongly consider limiting the use of facial recognition technology on a large scale. While it is constantly developing and admittedly convenient in many scenarios, the actual scientific benefits for many applications are yet to be proven. Additionally, many risks have been identified that, while perhaps contained, for now, could start showing its effects at any time.
What do you think? Should facial recognition be better regulated worldwide? Do the applications outweigh the potential risks?
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/29/what-is-facial-recognition-and-how-sinister-is-it
https://www.wired.com/story/portlands-face-recognition-ban-twist-smart-cities/
https://www-nature-com.eur.idm.oclc.org/articles/d41586-019-02514-7
Andrejevic, M. & Selwyn, N. (2019). Facial recognition technology in schools: critical questions and concerns. Learning, Media and Technology 45(2), pp. 115-128.
