Do Facial Recognition Benefits Outweigh the Threats?
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Facial recognition technology (FRT) was always a concept that lived in fictional worlds and sci-fi films. Over the years, technology has significantly developed this field, and today it has become more common in everyday life. People unlock a smartphone with a glance, tag their friends in Facebook posts, and even superimpose one face onto another in photos. This biometric technology has revolutionized authentication, making it simple, quick, and accurate. But are facial recognition benefits outweighing the threats it poses? In this article at IT Brief, Shannon Williams explains the benefits and risks of FRT.
Facial Recognition Benefits You Must Know
The technology is used for two purposes: identification and categorization. Under identification, a user matches the live or recorded digital footage to the pre-existing image on a database. When such information is ‘categorized,’ the impact of FRT becomes more wide-reaching. The technology filters people into various categories based on gender, weight, and age. Here are some facial recognition benefits that you must be aware of.
A facial biometric security system has drastically improved security postures in many organizations because every individual that enters the premises will be accounted for. Furthermore, the technology has potentially reduced the costs of hiring security staff.Face ID technology has become more reliable. The success rate of FRT is currently high due to infrared cameras and 3D face ID technology. With such accuracy, you can have confidence that the premise is safer and more secure for you and your employees.One of the most significant facial recognition benefits is the requirement of fewer human resources for various security measures, such as fingerprinting. Additionally, it does not require physical contact or direct human interaction. It limits touchpoints when unlocking doors and smartphones or performing tasks requiring a password, PIN, or key.
Are Pros Overshadowing the Cons?
There are drawbacks to using facial recognition, such as the violation of rights and personal freedom. It also presents the risk of overreliance on inaccurate systems. Here are some risks that the technology poses.
Being recorded and scanned by FRT will undoubtedly make people constantly feel under surveillance and judged for their behavior.“Databases storing facial recognition data have the potential to be breached. Hackers have broken into databases containing facial scans collected and used by banks, police departments, and defense firms,” explains Williams.Another major disadvantage of face ID technology is the possibility of racial bias. Several studies have identified that facial recognition is not as effective at identifying people of color and women.
To read the original article, click on https://itbrief.com.au/story/benefits-vs-risks-of-facial-recognition-technology.
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