Face/Off Recognition
What a temporary ban on facial recognition means. The MadHATTERs Editorial, 22 January 2020
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The EU’s thinking about banning facial recognition tech in public spaces for up to five years. It wants to buy time, to assess the impact of what it calls ‘biometric remote identification’ and how to manage its risks, a leaked whitepaper on AI reveals.
Hardly surprising news. Concerns have been mounting worldwide over how such tech infringes on privacy, and its potential misuse in an increasingly surveilled society. If Europe goes ahead with a ban, it will follow US cities like San Francisco and Somerville that have already outlawed government use of facial recognition.
Facial recognition tech continues to break new ground as well as fuel debate over its use for both good and bad. Like the Clearwater AI app currently used by over 600 US law enforcement agencies to fight crime, but could well put an end to our public anonymity. Or the US military building tech that identifies people from the heat their faces emit, in the dark, at long range. Good if you’re into assassinating the correct despot. Not so if your spying ex gets their hands on it. And what about the speed of 5G? Coupled with facial recognition tech, it can help nosy Parkers dob on their neighbours really effectively.
The tech is developing at such breakneck pace, so calling a temporary halt to its use is really not a bad idea. But let’s see how much a five-year hiatus will help. At least Europe can draw on lessons learnt from test runs: aka the new bills coming in Stateside this year. But it could also be left behind as the rest of the world moves forward.
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