Is Facial Recognition Invading Your Privacy?

Summary

This video explores the pervasiveness of facial recognition technology in daily life, from convenient uses like Snapchat filters and phone unlocking to more concerning applications in mass surveillance and privacy invasion. It discusses how computers analyze facial landmarks to create unique faceprints and raises questions about government and corporate use of this data. The script also highlights the potential for abuse, such as tracking law-abiding citizens and China's public shaming of jaywalkers, while questioning the ethical boundaries of this technology.

Takeaways

• 🤖 Facial recognition technology is increasingly integrated into daily life, from social media filters to fast-food ordering.
• 😲 There's a growing concern about the invasion of privacy that facial recognition could bring, with nearly half of American adults potentially in facial recognition databases.
• 👤 The technology works by mapping facial landmarks and creating unique 'faceprints' for identification.
• 👮‍♂️ Law enforcement and government agencies are using facial recognition for security purposes, but it also raises questions about surveillance on innocent citizens.
• 📈 The U.S. has an extensive network of surveillance cameras, which could theoretically be used to track individuals' movements continuously.
• 🛂 In the U.S., facial recognition is used at airports for border control and by airlines as an alternative to boarding passes.
• 🚦 China uses facial recognition to enforce laws, such as curbing jaywalking, through public shaming on large screens.
• 💰 Companies like Facebook and Google use facial recognition to target ads and collect data, which contributes to their massive advertising revenue.
• 🛒 Retailers are exploring facial recognition to analyze customer emotions and predict purchasing behavior.
• 😱 Even attempts to conceal one's face do not guarantee privacy, as research shows that facial recognition can identify concealed faces with a significant accuracy.
• 🗣️ The script prompts viewers to consider their comfort level with facial recognition and to engage in a discussion about where to draw the line regarding its use.

Q & A

What is facial recognition technology?

Facial recognition technology is a system that maps a person's face by analyzing various facial landmarks such as the depth of eye sockets, the curve of the chin, and the size of the nose. It uses artificial intelligence to create a unique 'faceprint' for each individual, similar to a fingerprint.

How is facial recognition used in social media platforms?

On social media platforms like Facebook, facial recognition is used for auto-tagging photos, making it easier for users to identify and categorize their photos.

What is the potential dark side of facial recognition mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that facial recognition can be used for mass surveillance, potentially allowing governments and law enforcement to monitor and track individuals' movements in real time.

How many surveillance cameras are estimated to be in the U.S., according to the script?

The script states that there are an estimated 60 million surveillance cameras in the U.S.

What is a 'faceprint' and how is it used?

A 'faceprint' is a digital representation of a person's face, created by analyzing various facial features. It is used by facial recognition systems to identify individuals accurately.

How does facial recognition technology work with smartphones?

The script mentions that the iPhone X uses facial recognition to unlock the device, replacing traditional passcodes with a more secure and convenient method.

What is the concern regarding law enforcement's access to facial recognition databases?

There is a growing concern that law enforcement could use facial recognition to track law-abiding citizens, potentially violating privacy rights.

What is the Moscow example used in the script to illustrate?

The script uses Moscow as an example of how facial recognition can be used to identify individuals in public spaces, raising concerns about privacy and potential misuse.

How does facial recognition technology intersect with advertising?

Facial recognition technology can be used to collect data on individuals' online behavior, preferences, and purchases, which is then sold to advertisers to target ads more effectively.

What is the 'public shaming' practice mentioned in the script?

The script refers to China's use of facial recognition to identify and publicly shame jaywalkers by displaying their photos, ID numbers, and home addresses on large screens.

What is the potential future use of facial recognition in retail, as mentioned in the script?

The script suggests that retailers like Walmart are exploring facial recognition to identify customer emotions and predict purchasing behavior, potentially to improve customer service and sales.

Outlines

00:00

😲 Facial Recognition: Convenience vs. Privacy

The script starts with a humorous scenario of a robot ordering food based on facial recognition, highlighting the increasing presence of facial recognition technology in daily life. It discusses how the technology is used for fun Snapchat filters, Facebook tagging, and iPhone X security, but also raises concerns about privacy invasions. The narrator questions whether we should embrace or fear this technology, explaining how it works by mapping facial landmarks and creating unique 'faceprints.' The script then delves into the darker side, discussing how governments and law enforcement could use this technology for mass surveillance, tracking individuals' movements, and accessing personal habits. It mentions real-world applications like airport security and the potential for abuse, such as in Moscow's extensive surveillance network or China's public shaming of jaywalkers.

05:00

🤑 Facial Recognition and Its Commercial Implications

This paragraph continues the discussion on facial recognition, focusing on its commercial uses and implications for consumer privacy. It mentions how tech giants like Facebook and Google use facial recognition for targeted advertising, generating billions in revenue. The script also touches on how retailers like Walmart are exploring facial recognition to gauge customer emotions and predict purchasing behavior. The narrator poses questions to the audience about their comfort levels with facial recognition in various contexts, from law enforcement to private companies, and invites them to share their views. The segment ends with a call to action for viewers to subscribe and explore more on the topic of technology and privacy through a linked episode on cybersecurity.

Keywords

💡Facial Recognition

Facial recognition is a technology that identifies or verifies the identity of a person using their facial features. In the video, it is discussed as a tool that is increasingly being integrated into daily life, from social media filters to fast-food ordering systems. The video raises questions about its implications for privacy and surveillance.

💡Privacy

Privacy refers to the state or condition of limited access to a person's data or interactions. The video script explores concerns that facial recognition technology could lead to a significant invasion of privacy, as it can potentially track individuals' movements and behaviors without their consent.

💡Surveillance

Surveillance is the act of monitoring individuals or groups, often secretly. The script mentions the use of facial recognition by governments and law enforcement, which can lead to mass surveillance and tracking of people's daily activities, thus raising ethical and privacy concerns.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, AI is used to analyze facial landmarks and create 'faceprints' for identification, which is central to how facial recognition works.

💡Facial Landmarks

Facial landmarks are distinct features of a person's face, such as the shape of the eyes, nose, or chin, which are used by facial recognition systems to identify individuals. The video explains that computers analyze these landmarks to create a unique 'faceprint' for each person.

💡Data Mining

Data mining is the process of discovering patterns in large data sets. The video discusses how tech companies use facial recognition to mine data about users' behaviors and preferences, which is then sold to advertisers for targeted marketing.

💡Terms of Service

Terms of Service are the rules and guidelines that users agree to when using a service or application. The video implies that users often unknowingly consent to data collection through these terms when using free online services that incorporate facial recognition.

💡Digital Advertising

Digital advertising refers to any form of advertising delivered through digital channels, such as social media or websites. The video script mentions that companies like Facebook and Google use facial recognition data to enhance their digital ad targeting, contributing to their massive revenue.

💡Law Enforcement

Law enforcement refers to the activity of enforcing the law, often by police or government agencies. The script explores the use of facial recognition by law enforcement to catch criminals and terrorists, but also raises concerns about its potential misuse on innocent citizens.

💡Cyber Security

Cyber security is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. The video encourages viewers to learn about cyber security to protect their digital information, implying that facial recognition and other technologies can pose risks to one's digital security.

💡Public Shaming

Public shaming is the act of humiliating or embarrassing someone publicly as a form of punishment or retribution. The video describes how China uses facial recognition to publicly shame jaywalkers by displaying their photos, ID numbers, and home addresses on screens.

Highlights

Robot Voice orders food without explicit order from the customer.

Facial recognition technology is increasingly integrated into daily life.

Snapchat filters and Facebook auto-tagging use facial recognition, which users find convenient.

iPhone X uses facial recognition for security purposes.

A KFC restaurant in China uses facial recognition to take customer orders.

Media often focuses on the darker aspects of facial recognition technology.

Nearly half of American adults are in facial recognition databases.

Facial recognition can enable mass surveillance in the physical world.

Facial recognition works by analyzing facial landmarks using AI.

There's a concern that governments and law enforcement might misuse facial recognition.

In the U.S., an estimated 60 million surveillance cameras could record our faces daily.

Government agencies could theoretically track individuals' movements continuously.

Facial recognition is currently used in U.S. airports for border control.

Police and the FBI have scanned millions of faces from drivers licenses and passports.

There's a 50-50 chance that an adult's photo is in a law enforcement facial recognition database.

Facial recognition is compared to digital police lineups for identifying individuals.

Moscow uses facial recognition technology in its network of 170,000 surveillance cameras.

Facial recognition can be used to identify people in crowds, even if they cover their faces.

China uses facial recognition to curb jaywalking by public shaming.

Facial recognition is also used by companies to track consumer behavior for targeted advertising.

Facebook and Google are predicted to make $106 billion from advertising, partly from facial recognition data.

Walmart has patented facial recognition technology to identify customer emotions.

The data from facial recognition can be used to track purchases and predict future buying habits.

The video asks viewers to comment on their comfort level with facial recognition technology.

Transcripts

(delicate tone)

(upbeat music)

- Let me get a

- [Robot Voice] Order confirmed, citizen number five,

extra pickles, medium fries.

Thank you for your order.

- But I never told you what I wanted to order.

- [Robot Voice] Order confirmed, thank you citizen.

Next in line please.

(upbeat music)

(chuckles)

- Is it just me, or does facial recognition

seem to be creeping more and more into our daily lives?

I mean, my face is pretty much being scanned on the regular.

Sometimes it's my choice.

Like when I used a Snapchat filter,

they rely on facial recognition technology.

And I don't seem to mind because, well they're awesome.

Facebook's auto-tagging makes

uploading my photos super easy.

And instead of remembering a passcode,

the new iPhone X uses your face to unlock it.

Oh and by the way, there actually is

a KFC restaurant in China that scans your face

and orders your food for you,

so look out for that, I guess to become a thing.

But for the most part the media focuses

on the darker aspects of the technology.

- Nearly half of American adults are

in facial recognition databases.

- The technology can single us out

in real time as we go about our daily business.

- It's mass surveillance for the physical world.

- So that got me thinking,

should we smile and welcome facial recognition?

Or should we be worried that it's gonna

be a major invasion of our privacy?

Here's how facial recognition works.

Computers map your face by analyzing dozens of different

facial landmarks, like the depth of your eye sockets,

the curve of your chin, and the size of your nose.

Computers use artificial intelligence to analyze

all this data.

Basically, you have to train the computers

on thousands of photos before they can

accurately start identifying people by creating faceprints.

Which are kinda like fingerprints

in that they're unique to each person.

Now there's a growing concern that facial recognition

will be used by governments and law enforcement

to monitor and track people.

Now if we're talking about catching terrorists

or identifying criminals,

the technology might be a great tool to help keep us safe.

But this same technology can also be used

on us law abiding citizens.

In the U.S., there are an estimated

60 million surveillance cameras,

meaning there's a pretty good chance that our faces

are being recorded every day.

So theoretically, if the FBI, CIA, or NSA

had access to that footage, they can track the movements

of any person 24/7.

They'd know where you work, where you shop,

who you like to hang with.

Like I don't want the government to know

that I like to get my acupuncture done

at 7:30 in the morning on a Tuesday.

Now this may sound futuristic and sci-fi,

but the governments are using facial recognition

right now.

In some U.S. airports, border agents are scanning

the faces of foreign visitors and matching those scans

to their visa applications.

It could be a more secure way to track when people

enter and leave the country.

The government is also partnering with some airlines

to use facial recognition instead of boarding passes.

For U.S. citizens, the facial scans are checked against

photos stored in police databases.

Now you may be thinking, "I've never committed a crime,

"my face isn't gonna be in a police database."

Well police and the FBI have scanned millions

of faces using drivers licenses and passport photos.

A recent report out of Georgetown University

reveals that if you're an adult in the U.S.,

there's a 50-50 chance that your photo

is stored in a massive facial recognition database

that law enforcement can access anytime it wants

for pretty much any reason.

You know the classic police lineup we see in the movies?

The detective invites the witness down to the station

to pick out the criminal who's standing

in the line with a bunch of other people?

These photo databases are basically digital police lineups,

allowing law enforcement to compare one face

to millions of others.

Check out what's happening in Moscow, Russia's capital.

The government is adding facial recognition technology

to its network of 170,000 surveillance cameras

located throughout the city.

It's supposed to be used to identify criminals

and boost security, but what if you're at

a rally protesting the government?

The police could use facial recognition to

pick you out of a crowd,

and maybe even punish you for your actions.

And covering your face might not protect you.

A new research paper demonstrated that facial recognition

could correctly identify a concealed face 67% of the time.

Yikes.

In China, the government takes

facial recognition to the next level.

To curb jaywalking, which apparently is a big problem

in the country, the Chinese government has resorted

to public shaming.

Jaywalkers get their photo snapped

by government-owned cameras, and then 20 minutes later,

their picture is up on a giant screen

with their ID number and home address.

Again, yikes.

Now facial recognition is not just about safety

or tracking down criminals, it's also about making money.

When you and your friends are auto-tagged

when you upload a photo to Google or Facebook,

that's one more data point that companies can use

to track what you do online,

what you like, and what you buy.

But that's the cost of free technology.

It's right there in the terms of service

that none of us ever read.

We use a super useful tool at no cost,

the tech companies mine every photo,

status update, and tweet for info

that online advertisers are willing to pay big money for.

Facebook and Google alone are predicted

to make $106 billion from advertising this year.

That's nearly half of all the money made

from digital advertising in the world.

Big box retailers are getting into the game too.

Walmart has filed a patent for facial recognition

technology that can identify

when shoppers are unhappy or frustrated.

Which the company says will allow it

to provide better customer service.

But that same data can also be used to track purchases

and predict what items you might buy in the future.

So now we'd like to hear from you.

Where would you draw the line?

In what situation would you be

comfortable allowing facial recognition?

Whenever?

Law enforcement only?

Just private companies?

Or pretty much never?

Let us know in the comments below.

And do not forget to subscribe.

And if you wanna learn more about

technology and privacy,

check out this episode we did on cyber security

to learn how to keep all your digital info safe.

Till next time guys.

(upbeat music)