Yes, YOU. And your neighbor. And your cars, your houses, boats, kids, pets...and Facial Recognition. Scary stuff.
Facial recognition is a not-so-new technology that's fast becoming de rigueur in anything relating to "safety" and "security" (both terms used loosely).
Once thought to be fairly inexact and inaccurate, this technology has taken giant leaps forward in its ability to accurately pinpoint you, me, or anyone, in any public location. This means everywhere, from airports, to walking down the street, to being in your car at a stoplight. Google Earth and satellite imagery, from hundreds of miles above the planet, can now pinpoint an area less than a square foot in size (look up "satellite surveillance," or "keyhole satellite").
And don't think your fancy cell phone is exempt. An Android app called "Faces" demonstrates how this technology--even watered down for a simple app--really isn't so simple at all. Take a look at the graphic (these are from my own Android phone - I've blocked out the numerous faces that the app pulled up...even I was a little freaked out about how far reaching it is!).
Big Brother's reach is getting bigger by the day.
Facial recognition is a not-so-new technology that's fast becoming de rigueur in anything relating to "safety" and "security" (both terms used loosely).
Once thought to be fairly inexact and inaccurate, this technology has taken giant leaps forward in its ability to accurately pinpoint you, me, or anyone, in any public location. This means everywhere, from airports, to walking down the street, to being in your car at a stoplight. Google Earth and satellite imagery, from hundreds of miles above the planet, can now pinpoint an area less than a square foot in size (look up "satellite surveillance," or "keyhole satellite").
And don't think your fancy cell phone is exempt. An Android app called "Faces" demonstrates how this technology--even watered down for a simple app--really isn't so simple at all. Take a look at the graphic (these are from my own Android phone - I've blocked out the numerous faces that the app pulled up...even I was a little freaked out about how far reaching it is!).
Big Brother's reach is getting bigger by the day.
