Will You Be Sent To Jail Because of Your Face?

Face recognition technology sort of popped up out of nowhere in recent years. It always seemed to be this goofy future technology, but reports show that it will soon be used by most police departments. Most of us have probably used this technology but don’t realize it. Apple, Google, and Facebook have all started using the software in some of their products.

Sure, face recognition seems cool when it’s helping you tag your Facebook pictures but what happens when police start using it? All they need to do is snap a photo of someone with their phones and all of their information will pop up. This seems fishy to me. Why would the police immediately need to know who someone is? If they’re breaking the law, arrest them and if they’re not, don’t arrest them. My worry is that this technology could be used with prejudice, like some sort of “facial profiling.” Say an officer thinks you look suspicious (for example, because of your race) all they have to do is snap your picture from across the street.

When it comes to new technology I am an 80-year-old man: I don’t trust it. What if face recognizers are defective? Peoples’ faces change constantly, especially in our plastic surgery-loving country. Isn’t is possible that the device could mistake an innocent man for someone else? Just imagine how confusing it can get with identical twins! The point is that face recognition should be used carefully and responsibly. Police should consider the consequences before they start snapping away.

And next time you want to post that hilarious pic of your buddy with a beer can bong, think twice.

Contact the author here: jennY@morningquickie.com