Two Minute Technology: Facial Recognition Systems

Two Minute Technology: Facial Recognition Systems

Facial recognition systems is technology capable of matching human faces from a digital image or video against a database of faces, typically employed to authenticate users through ID verification services. This technology works by measuring and analyzing facial features from a given reference image. Facial recognition is one of the many forms of biometric authentication.

  • Biometrics: allows a person to be identified and authenticated based on recognizable and verified data, that is unique and specific
Types of biometrics: some examples of physiological and behavioral measurements: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/government/inspired/biometrics

How Does Facial Recognition Software Work?

There are typically three main processes used in facial recognition systems: detection, analysis (attribution) and recognition.

  1. Detection: process of finding a face in an image/video. For example, a camera that detects a face and draws a box around it to autofocus is a common example of detection. Face detection only focuses on finding a face, not identifying the person behind it.

  2. Analysis (attribution): process of mapping faces - often by measuring the distance between the eyes, shape of chin, distance between nose and mouth - then converts that into a string of numbers, often called a "faceprint." Snapchat filter's use a similar technology as this step.

  3. Recognition: the attempt to confirm the identity of a person in a photo. This process is used for verification, such as a security feature on a smartphone or laptop. Essentially, this attempt answers the question "Who is in this picture?"

    Advantages & Disadvantages & Examples of Facial Recognition Technology

    Facial recognition systems are used virtually everywhere, from law enforcement, to airports and border control, for unlocking personal devices, banking, marketing and advertising, healthcare system, to tracking attendance and much more.

    Advantages

    • Increased security, as these technology has been used to help identify terrorists and other criminals. Facial recognition is also used for locking personal devices and for personal surveillance cameras.
    • Reduces crime, since it makes it easier to track down criminals.
    • Removing bias from stops and searches on law-abiding citizens.
    • Greater convenience, as facial recognition technology could be the future of contactless shopping. Where customers can use their face to pay for products, goods and services.

    Disadvantages

    • Constant surveillance by the government invades ordinary and innocent people's lives.
    • Scope for error is large, which could lead to people being implicated for crimes they have not committed.
    • Breach of privacy, as citizens' images could be stored in a database for years without their consent.
    • Massive data storage is necessary and expensive to store all the required data of these images.

    Message from the Blogger

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