Kashmir Hill

Loved the book. I was intrigued by the history of facial recognition software, the early stages and how it eventually evolved into where it is today. The author was quite thorough in her research, naming names and how they affected this area.

The book is scary. What is the potential for facial recognition software for abuse? There doesn’t currently appear to be any controls put into place by our government (the fact they use it for certain purposes themselves doesn’t exactly make them impartial when looking at controls that could be legislated). The implicit message by the author is that we are not far from abuse occurring.

We already know that Madison Square Garden uses facial recognition software to ban individuals (for instance, attorneys whose law firms have active lawsuits against MSG) from entering any events there. Security is pinged when such individuals pass through the turnstile, and they are politely told they are not welcome there and escorted out.

What could happen if this software started to be used to prevent you from shopping in a certain store, or perhaps banned from dining in a restaurant because their owner or their staff members do not like your political beliefs?

Although facial recognition was not used in the situation that comes to mind, there was an instance where some individuals that supported a certain president were told they were not welcome to dine in a restaurant. One could always say it’s up to the owner of a store or restaurant to decide who to serve…until you are on the receiving end of being banned because YOUR politics are not agreeable.

We already know that China uses facial recognition software to manage their populations’ activities. Do things the CCP likes and wants you to do, and you get points assigned to you, similar to a credit card rewards program. The more points you receive, the more privileges you are granted. Do things the CCP does not like, and your level of privileges never increases, or perhaps goes down. Are you ready for prime time for this to occur in the USA?

This is dangerous stuff.… (more)