According to CNN, Google has developed a face recognition software that could possibly take technology up an entire notch. It works to where someone can take a picture of you through the usage of the app and then the software will then match the picture up with your pictures on your Google Profile. With the match a complete stranger could possibly get your user name, address, phone number, and other contact information. Many are frightened about that information getting out to the public because that information can link an outsider to a person's social networks, financial information, occupation, and where they currently are located. In the Buzz Out Loud Podcast 1439, titled "Google Wants Your Face, the hosts, Brian Tong and producer Benito Gonzalez bring up the fact that this could change how people act in public because they could be in fear of people taking their picture and getting their information. One snap can make a person lose all of their privacy and potentially their identity.
Google is currently denying the accusations saying that they do not intend on releasing such a type of software in the near future. One of Google's spokesmen has responded to CNN's accusations as being "purely speculative." Even though they deny having the software it is evident that they are completely capable of creating it. They currently have an app referred to as Google Goggles that uses object recognition. A person can snap a photo of a building or landmark and the app can then trace the name of the building and where the building is located. If they can do this with objects there is a strong possibility that they can also do this with a person's picture. There is also said to be face recognition devices within Google Picassa that helps users identify friends and family members already within their current photo library.
Though this face recognition software is scary to many people it can be helpful to some. It could possibly aid in globalization and shorten the amount of time it takes for a business to gather critical information. For instance, one might not have to fill out all of the paper work at the doctor's office, hospital, or dentist anymore because this facial recognition app could gain it all from their photo. With improved privacy techniques this app might not be as bad as expected. We believe that if there was a way for us to approve who our information is giving too it would make it not as risky. Google could possibly send a request notification to our email after someone takes our picture and allow us to deny or accept it, which is similar to how Facebook does things. With greater technology comes more responsibility and Google will have to work out some privacy kinks before it is released to the public.
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This is a very informative blog with fearful information. I for one am totally against facial recognition software. This is totally violating our freedoms as we know them now. One could deduce that this is just another way of government or business intrusion into the lives of individuals. I do not believe that this type of software would be beneficial in any area, business, government, or other. Technology is good, but this goes further than technology. This software has a potential to cause individuals to lose the majority of their freedoms.
ReplyDeleteThis subject reminds me of the movie "Minority Report". That movie covered a few issues with the technology that you covered here. This type of technology really is something that can huge advantages and equally large disadvantages and should be watched carefully. Great topic.
ReplyDeleteWe think that this blog has a good point of view. I think today there is a lot going on especially on Facebook about this face recognition. There are some advantages of it but there are also some really bad disadvantages. Sometimes people tag each other in a picture without any purpose and it ends up getting people in trouble. We think that technology has been very helpful in a lot of ways but this face recognition has not been accepted by a considerable part of the society. Jordan Greggs, Allison Fletcher, Kristin Childress, Fabio Ribeiro, Lila Doherty.
ReplyDeleteWe agree with the above comments. This type of software could have both disadvantages and advantages. This is somewhat similar to the type of software that our group discusses on our blog. The software for the billboards is different in that it doesn't store the data, and it gathers all external data. If this is used in a "good" manner, it could be beneficial, but boundaries must be set.
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ReplyDeleteWe believe that this face recognition software will bring more damage than benefit to the public. In today's world, people are loosing more and more security as the technology improves. This software will essentially destroy all the barriers to our identity and shows everyone naked in front of the whole world. We don't know about others, but we certainly would not want everyone around the world to know where we live.
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