LASCON X

Face Recognition & Privacy

The concept of identifying people based upon unique physical characteristics dates back to 14th century China where we have found evidence of fingerprinting. Since then, we have developed many other characteristics to use to identify people including iris (colored part of the eye), gait, palm vein patterns, hand geometry and face recognition. Of all of these techniques, face recognition has been the most controversial because it can be collected passively - without the user’s knowledge or consent. Recent media coverage has often been inaccurate and accidentally (or intentionally) misleading, generating further controversy. Face recognition surveillance can be a terrible invasion of user privacy and the foundation of an Orwellian police state. However, not all face recognition is used for surveillance and the technology CAN be used in a privacy preserving way if designed correctly. Existing privacy legislation attempts to address these issues and bring control back to the user, but the legal landscape is complex. This talk will address existing face recognition, privacy legislation world-wide and will dispel common myths about the strengths and weaknesses of this valuable identification technology.