In June of 2012,
Facebook acquired facial recognition software developed by an Israeli
company. This software eases the picture
tagging process by identifying the individuals featured in images and automatically
suggesting each name to rushed photo uploaders.
European nations are
vexed, as this software compromises the privacy of Facebookers. In my opinion, their ruffled feathers are
merited. One need only ponder the
looming application of the intrusive technology to understand this European
distress.
Imagine the year
2020. Billboards and televisions are
equipped with miniscule cameras that detect the faces (and thus, with this new
Facebook technology, the identities) of observers. You amble past a screen and a sensor jumps to
the ready and scans you. As a positive
identification is reached, the devices tailor their programming and
advertisements to your preferences, enticing you to purchase items and watch
shows that appeal particularly to you.
You will squander
money. You will squander time. You will grant technology further access to
your mind, routine, and home.
Not to mention the
surveillance implications of this software.
While few of us actually intend to commit a crime at any point in our
lives, we can still find it intimidating and off-putting that, with this
technology, storeowners, government agencies, and even wealthy individuals with
security systems can review their surveillance footage and obtain the
identities of unaware passersby.
Fortunately, United
States politicians are finally stirring to offer their grumblings and
grievances. Indeed, ‘At a
hearing on Capitol Hill last July, Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, described Facebook as the “world’s largest
privately held database of face prints — without the explicit consent of its
users.”’
While I understand that this
system marks a reasonable and natural progression of technology, I must condemn
its continued use. Though I have fewer
secrets than a reality star, I cannot reconcile myself to this invasion, even
in its mini Facebook form.
The solution?
I know. Let’s all just spend three extra minutes to
manually tag our friends and family.
Or, though this is slightly
outrageous, we could even stop snapping pictures for a few moments, look up
from our screens, and actually offer full presence to our lives! How about that?
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