How to Block Facial Recognition Cameras (IRL Tested!)

Summary

In this video, Dr. John Padfield discusses the increasing use of facial recognition technology by retailers, from Walmart to Kroger, and how it impacts privacy. He explains how the technology works, from capturing images to matching faces, and highlights the vulnerability of facial recognition systems. The video also offers practical tips to protect privacy, such as wearing IR-blocking glasses and using reflective materials. Padfield tests these methods against devices like iPhones and provides a preview of future tests on other facial recognition algorithms, all aimed at helping users regain some control over their privacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Facial recognition is being increasingly used in retail stores, such as by Kroger and other big companies, to track customers' movements and behaviors.
• 😀 Retailers like Macy's and Walmart are using facial recognition, and Walmart even attempted to patent technology for reading customers' facial expressions to gauge satisfaction.
• 😀 The use of facial recognition extends beyond retail to concerts, sporting events, office buildings, gyms, and even vehicles, raising privacy concerns.
• 😀 Facial recognition works by capturing images, detecting faces, and then extracting unique facial features for comparison to a database of known faces.
• 😀 There are potential vulnerabilities in facial recognition systems, such as adversarial images that can trick algorithms into misidentifying or overlooking faces.
• 😀 Interfering with facial feature extraction, particularly around the eyes, is a key way to disrupt facial recognition systems.
• 😀 Some common techniques like wearing a wig or dark sunglasses do not work effectively against most facial recognition systems, especially when infrared cameras are used.
• 😀 Infrared cameras, which are used in many facial recognition systems, can see through dark sunglasses and even detect eyes in total darkness.
• 😀 Special IR-blocking glasses can prevent infrared cameras from detecting your eyes, helping to protect privacy in environments using facial recognition.
• 😀 Reflective materials, like those used in super reflective jackets and hats, can prevent facial recognition cameras from working by making the face unreadable under infrared light.
• 😀 Techniques such as using IR-blocking glasses and reflective hats are not foolproof but are simple ways to protect privacy from certain facial recognition systems, particularly on devices like iPhones.

Q & A

What was the partnership between Kroger and Microsoft about in 2019?

In 2019, Kroger and Microsoft announced a partnership to 'redefine the customer experience' at Kroger grocery stores, which included using facial recognition to monitor customers as they move throughout the store. This involved installing hundreds or thousands of cameras per store, integrated into digital price tags on every shelf.

What other retailers are using facial recognition technology?

Besides Kroger, retailers such as Macy's and Albertson's were mentioned in a 2021 Vox article as also using facial recognition technology, often without customers' knowledge or consent.

How did Walmart plan to use facial recognition in 2017?

In 2017, Walmart filed a patent to use facial recognition not only to identify customers but to read their facial expressions in an attempt to gauge customer satisfaction, a method considered even more intrusive.

What are adversarial images in the context of facial recognition systems?

Adversarial images are misleading or manipulated images that facial recognition systems struggle to interpret correctly. They represent a vulnerability in the system, as algorithms can mistakenly identify or fail to identify faces due to these altered images.

How does facial recognition technology work at a high level?

Facial recognition works by capturing an image, detecting a face, extracting features such as the edges of the jawline, lips, nose, and eyes, then calculating various ratios between these features to create a unique numerical representation of the face. This is compared against a database to identify or verify the person.

What makes infrared cameras different from normal cameras in terms of facial recognition?

Infrared cameras can capture images even in low or no visible light conditions by detecting infrared light, unlike normal cameras, which rely on visible light. Infrared light can pass through dark sunglasses, allowing infrared cameras to detect the eyes, making them much more effective for facial recognition.

Can traditional methods like wearing sunglasses or fake beards defeat facial recognition?

No, wearing sunglasses, fake beards, or similar methods generally does not work to defeat most facial recognition systems due to the use of infrared cameras, which can see through such obstructions.

How does infrared light affect facial recognition on devices like iPhones?

Infrared light used in iPhones' Face ID system allows the phone to detect a face even in complete darkness. While wearing regular dark sunglasses might block visible light, infrared light passes through them, making it easy for the phone's infrared camera to see the eyes and unlock the device.

What are Reflecticles, and how do they help with privacy?

Reflecticles is a company that produces stylish infrared-blocking glasses designed to block infrared light. These glasses help prevent infrared cameras from seeing your eyes, effectively thwarting facial recognition on devices like iPhones or in other settings where such technology is used.

What is the main takeaway from the testing discussed in the video?

The video demonstrated that wearing infrared-blocking glasses or reflective hats can prevent infrared cameras from identifying your eyes and unlocking devices like iPhones. However, these methods may not necessarily work against all facial recognition systems, such as those used in stores or at events.