Facial recognition and biometric data are becoming more and more ubiquitous in our society. From unlocking your phone to boarding a plane, from accessing your bank account to entering a building, from shopping online to applying for a job, you are constantly being scanned, identified, and tracked by these technologies.
But what are the hidden dangers of facial recognition and biometric data? How are they affecting your privacy, your rights, and your safety? And what can you do to protect yourself from these threats?
The Privacy Problem
One of the biggest problems with facial recognition and biometric data is that they are often collected, stored, and shared without your consent or knowledge. You may not even be aware of how many cameras are capturing your face, how many databases are storing your fingerprints, or how many companies are selling your iris scans.
This means that you have no control over who has access to your personal information, how they use it, or how they protect it. You may be exposed to identity theft, fraud, blackmail, harassment, discrimination, or worse.
For example, did you know that:
- China has the world’s largest network of surveillance cameras, with over 600 million installed across the country. The government uses facial recognition to monitor and control its citizens, especially ethnic minorities and dissidents.
- The US Department of Homeland Security has a database of over 250 million face images, collected from passports, visas, driver’s licenses, and other sources. The agency shares this data with other federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, foreign governments, and private contractors.
- Facebook has one of the most advanced facial recognition systems in the world, with over 3 billion face images in its database. The company uses this data to tag people in photos, suggest friends, target ads, and conduct research.
- Clearview AI is a controversial startup that has scraped over 3 billion face images from the internet, including social media platforms, news sites, and public records. The company sells its facial recognition service to law enforcement agencies, corporations, and individuals.
These are just some examples of how facial recognition and biometric data are being collected and used without your consent or knowledge. And there is no guarantee that these data are secure or accurate. In fact, there have been many cases of data breaches, hacks, leaks, errors, and abuses involving these technologies.
The Rights Problem
Another problem with facial recognition and biometric data is that they are often used to violate your rights and freedoms. You may be subjected to surveillance, censorship, profiling, discrimination, or persecution based on these technologies.
For example, did you know that:
- In Hong Kong, protesters have been using masks, umbrellas, lasers, and other methods to avoid facial recognition cameras deployed by the police. The authorities have also banned the use of face masks in public gatherings, citing public safety concerns.
- In India, the government has launched a nationwide project to enroll over 1.2 billion people into a biometric database called Aadhaar. The system is used to provide access to various services and benefits, such as welfare schemes, bank accounts, mobile phones, and voting. However, critics have raised concerns about privacy violations, identity thefts, exclusion errors, and human rights abuses.
- In the UK, the police have been using live facial recognition cameras to scan crowds of people in public places, such as shopping malls, concerts, and sports events. The system compares the faces with a watchlist of suspects, and alerts the officers if there is a match. However, activists have challenged the legality, accuracy, and ethics of this practice, arguing that it infringes on civil liberties, privacy, and dignity.
- In the US, some employers have been using facial recognition and biometric data to monitor their workers’ productivity, attendance, and emotions. Some examples include Amazon’s patented wristbands that track workers’ hand movements in warehouses, Walmart’s facial recognition system that detects customer dissatisfaction at checkout counters, and HireVue’s AI-powered video interviews that analyze candidates’ facial expressions, voice tones, and word choices.
These are just some examples of how facial recognition and biometric data are being used to violate your rights and freedoms. And there is no guarantee that these technologies are fair or unbiased. In fact, there have been many studies that show that these technologies are prone to racial, gender, age, and other forms of bias.
The Safety Problem
A third problem with facial recognition and biometric data is that they are often used to endanger your security and well-being. You may be exposed to violence, harassment, extortion, or manipulation based on these technologies.
For example, did you know that:
- In Russia, a website called FindFace allows users to upload a photo of anyone and find their social media profiles using facial recognition. The site has been used by stalkers, cyberbullies, and criminals to harass and blackmail their victims.
- In Mexico, a journalist named Jorge Armenta was killed by gunmen after being identified by a facial recognition system installed in a hotel lobby. The system was part of a security program funded by the US government to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.
- In Iran, a hacker group called Tapandegan claimed to have accessed and leaked the personal information of over 15,000 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including their names, addresses, phone numbers, and photos. The group used facial recognition to match the photos with the IRGC’s official website and social media accounts.
- In the US, a company called Clearview AI has been accused of creating a “chilling effect” on free speech and expression by enabling anyone to identify and track anyone else using facial recognition. The company’s clients include law enforcement agencies, corporations, and individuals, some of whom have used the service for personal or political purposes.
These are just some examples of how facial recognition and biometric data are being used to endanger your security and well-being. And there is no guarantee that these technologies are reliable or trustworthy. In fact, there have been many instances of false positives, false negatives, spoofing, and hacking involving these technologies.
The Solution
So what can you do to protect yourself from the hidden dangers of facial recognition and biometric data? Here are some tips and suggestions:
- Be aware of how these technologies work, where they are used, and what they can do. Educate yourself and others about the risks and benefits of these technologies, and stay updated on the latest developments and news.
- Be careful of what you share online, especially your photos and videos. Use privacy settings, encryption, and anonymization tools to limit your exposure and prevent unauthorized access to your data. Delete or deactivate your accounts if you no longer use them or trust them.
- Be vigilant of how these technologies are used by others, especially the authorities and corporations. Demand transparency, accountability, and regulation from the entities that collect, store, and share your data. Challenge or report any misuse, abuse, or violation of your rights and freedoms.
- Be proactive in defending your privacy, rights, and security. Use masks, sunglasses, hats, makeup, or other methods to obscure your face or alter your appearance. Use alternative forms of identification or authentication that do not rely on your biometric data. Support or join movements and organizations that advocate for your interests and values.
Facial recognition and biometric data are powerful technologies that can have positive or negative impacts on your life. It is up to you to decide how you want to use them, and how you want them to be used by others. Remember, you are not just a face or a fingerprint. You are a human being with dignity, autonomy, and agency. Don’t let these technologies take that away from you.