Facial recognition technology has been successfully established by private companies and government entities for a number of different purposes, ranging from shopping to public safety. The pace of its rise is a sign of rapid advance in AI (Artificial Intelligence) which makes a lot of people a bit queasy. In certain parts of the world customers can pay for their fast food orders with their faces. A promotional video for such service shows a young female customer scanning her face while donning a wig and appearing with friends, to prove that the technology can recognize an individual even if they are disguised or in a group.
Yet simple shopping isn’t the only area where facial recognition technology is making an appearance. It’s quickly becoming integrated into extensive surveillance apparatus (paywall). And while it certainly can be used as an effective mechanism to ensure safety and security, some of its use cases point toward a frightful doom for privacy.