What Are The Potential Dangers Of Facial Recognition Technology?
Facial recognition used to only be seen in science fiction movies. With the advance in technology bringing this once fantasy idea to reality, we now see facial recognition features in our everyday lives. From social media auto photo tagging recognition to smart phone unlocking, government and medical applications, facial recognition technology is at the forefront of technological advancement.
1. What Is Facial Recognition?
Facial recognition is similar to other forms of bio metric technology. It uses a computer to recognise data and match it. Similar to fingerprint technology and voice recognition.
2. How Is This Technology Used?
You may have noticed when you use social media, specifically Facebook, that when you upload a photo of people it will auto suggest who these people are and suggests named tags for you to add. This is a prime example of facial recognition technology. Due to this amazing advancement this software can now be used to track criminals captured on CCTV or camera in public places.
Apple now uses either fingerprint recognition technology to unlock iPhones or facial recognition, meaning your devices are now so much more secure than previous years.
3. Is The Technology Safe?
Facial recognition is advanced but there is still a long way to go in terms of fool proofing the security. Facial recognition on phones can be confused with users wearing scarves, hat or sunglasses.
The security can also be hacked. An example of this was a Vietnamese security company that managed to enter through the facial recognition lock using a 3D printed mask.
3. What Can Be Done To Strengthen The Security Of This Technology?
To ensure your data and privacy is safe when using new technology there are a few things you can do.
– Add 2 step verification
You can implement 2 factor authentication on many log ins. This prompts you to sign in but you would need to use 2 different types of sign in methods to pass security. For example, you could use your facial recognition log in as 1st authentication and then a security code as 2nd authentication. This could be sent to the mobile device attached to your account as 2nd authentication.
– Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi connections are not secure. Make sure to disable automatic connections within your Wi-Fi settings.
– Install Anti-Virus Software to Devices
Make sure you have up to date anti-virus software on your computer and devices.
