Real-Time facial recognition ! Good for security or ultimate control?
It seems a lot of major retailers are keen on tracking their customers through real time facial recognition.
In 2012 a patent filed by Walmart described a facial recognition system that would be used to gauge how happy a customer was, and if they were unhappy a member of staff would try and assist them.
I also read that UK retail giant Tesco was planning to implement this technology at it's petrol stations as far back as 2013. Whether they did or not I'm unsure.
People may see this technology as harmless or extremely useful in crime prevention. (Minority Report here we come)
I recently found a promotional video for NEC's NeoFace®, which is a real time facial recognition system with a huge range of functions.
This system seems to be more geared towards business in order to track staff and visitors.
I can definitely see some of the positives with this system as it can restrict access to certain areas of the building, only allowing you in if "your face fits".
The worrying side of this is the employee being tracked side, which can be used to see how long it took a person to travel from point A to point B.
It can also analyse the time it should take and how long it actually takes. For me this is too much like big brother.
Will the employer be constantly onto their staff asking why did it take you an extra 5 minutes today to get back to your desk?
Take a look at the official promotional video and make your own judgment!
Some of the tag lines in the promotional video include:
"Anonymously capturing individuals at pre-determined times in their journey."
"Monitoring key real time data against predefined parameters"
"Flow and queue management - Real time business intelligence"
What do people think? Is this a step in the wrong direction or simply the future?
More information can be found at http://www.nec.com/en/global/solutions/safety/face_recognition/index.html
As usual thanks for listening
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A man in Wales was arrested using facial recognition systems in public spaces. We've never really had a debate or vote on the issue in the UK - it's going ahead regardless.
Really? I never heard about that. Interesting times ahead.
I like your name, is that from "that mitchell and webb look" ?
It is indeed :)
Followed for the name alone haha. Will have a look at some of your posts.
Thank you, followed back.
Oh shit. I'm gonna have to fight them off. I don't smile unless I have to.
😂 There will be about 50 staff members surrounding you by time you get to the checkout.
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"Building a safer city." Of course they are. Yes. This is all about safety.
Very worrying furure ahead.
I think methods of opting in and out of such data collection and use are essential. Also ways to compartmentalize and associate / dissociate identity from the data under the cryptographically secured control of the individual.
High sounding hopes, not sure exactly if / how such can be done, but reading about such applications surely concerns me.
😄😇😄
"I think methods of opting in and out of such data collection and use are essential."
I agree. Sadly I can't see this happening though.
There are methods, alright... They may not be easy, however.
For example, I know some folk who wear Old West-style bandanas over their faces when out in public. Bright infrared LED collars are also reputed to help...
Granted, few will adopt such extreme measures.