Facial Recognition for the Future
During the rise of uncertainty in the middle of the pandemic as resource availability and security were at an all-time low, I decided to go all in on forming Bastion Industries. The social fabric of communities was tearing, supply shelves were empty, and I found myself exploring ways to bake security into my own life.
Can I create my own food security? Can I make sure that when I need my devices most, they are ready to perform? Can I build something that helps other people create a defensive strategy that extends past products and services? Why "Bastion Industries" for a name?
My goal was to create a resource for lifestyle, technology, and cyber security to help likeminded individuals squeeze the most out of their gadgets while dodging the risks that plague technology use. I also wanted the freedom to expand the business to multiple industries while deploying the ideas and inventions I've invested in making a reality the past decade. If you have subscribed already, thanks so much for the support. If you're new to the newsletter, welcome! Let's jump into facial recognition and the outlook for the future.
Facial recognition is a simple idea that should be met with extreme caution. Scanning a face to verify an identity has become pretty common to authenticate users for device use. In the past, I did not think much of it. I routinely participated in this sequence: grab your phone, hold it in front of your face, and bam... we're unlocked.
Most users move throughout the day with the idea that this feature is protected, and facial recognition data is not that risky. Should we be so quick to trust big tech, an application, or even a device with biometric data? Absolutely not.
Here's why:
Facial recognition is a massive risk for the future. Any technology that is capable of tracking humans should be carefully analyzed before deployed across general users. Unfortunately, the aim to make money has taken an idea from its infancy and thrust it into the marketplace (errors and mismanagement intact).
Technology moves too fast for laws and guidance. Someone has a great idea, the development begins, the product goes to market, the problems arise, and then providers get to work on tweaking a live system. This horrible process happens with technology all the time and is present for facial recognition.
Should a broken technology that misidentifies people be sold before fixed?
No, but it is. Facial recognition teams tested on themselves in early development and were not representative of the entire population. Obvious bias is present in these products leading to the wrong people being accused, arrested, or even jailed due to faulty software. Explore "Coded Bias" on Nova if you want to learn more.
Should big tech companies be supplying the police with experimental facial recognition technology to test on their communities against citizen consent?
No, but it happened with Amazons "Rekognition" software. Luckily, Congress was able to crack down on such an offense before it got out of control. Do a quick search for facial recognition gone wrong if you are curious about other problems.
As innovative technology emerges, rules and regulation aren't created fast enough. Usually, the user is at risk when their data is manipulated to gain insight, or even sold. What should you do about facial recognition in this early stage?
My tips for facial recognition use:
Avoid facial recognition use when it is possible to disable the feature for an application.
Ensure that the providers you are trusting your biometric data with are making data compliance a priority.
Consider holding off on installing internet of things devices in the home that capture large libraries of images.
What risks are in store for the future of facial recognition?
For technology companies, selling the entire company and exiting is sometimes a goal. Imagine you have given "Company A" access to facial recognition data its stored and they promise they won't sell your data. Great! In a few years' time, "Company B" buys "Company A". Depending on current laws and policies, your data may lose all protections and be accessed by the new company for any use they see fit. Obviously, this is not good.
Rules and regulations have begun to crack down on this across the technology industry, but regulating bodies sometimes have problems defining hardware, software, and all the attached features. It's best to stay away from the technology.
For social issues and warfare, facial recognition is dangerous. It can be used to track protestors or at the highest offense may be used to track targets for assassination. While some individuals may be excited about the technology, it can be a massive threat to security if it were to fall into the wrong hands. Keep an eye out for facial recognition being deployed in your community and consider disabling the features in your life until strict protections are in place.
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