It's not as innocuous as it seems to be. It heals and kills at the same time. Face recognition in a government's hands opens up countless opportunities to spy massively and totally after every citizen, dramatically encroaching on people individual personal privacy and security. Efficient low cost small video cameras are massively produced, distributed and united into gigantic networks allowing to spy after everyone everywhere anytime. Illegal access that can be obtained by the organized crime is a huge concern in that respect as well.

Facial recognition without an individual's consent has been at the center of controversy in recent news. While the intent is seemingly innocent, the use of the technology might be a clear breach of the suitor's privacy, as it was used without the individual's consent or awareness

Nancy Ann Watanabe

Dear Professor,

This sounds like a very effective technique. It will ensure smooth flow of operations and at the same time reduce pollution. But I personally think that it will be more suitable for the less densely populated and developed countries.

In developing countries, where most sectors are unorganized, it is difficult to follow this technique. In such countries, the unorganized sectors will first of all have to be converted into organized sectors. The cost of such a conversion remains a critical factor in the implementation of Facial Recognition Technology.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Anamitra Roy.

Cameras placed everywhere in Britain caused concern, but alleviated slog for police in identifying crimes and capturing perpetrators. It made certain kinds of law breaking more easily dealt with. But the police in Britain are not politicised, they are not political arms of the government as in China. This is about government intention and autonomy of the different internal authorities.

Ndalahwa MUSA Masanja ,

Thank you very much for launching this discussion thread! And you make some good points with regard to the issue of privacy and the idea that individuals and groups might be unaware that they are being watched without their knowledge or consent. Best regards.

Len Leonid Mizrah ,

Thank you for launching this discussion thread! Your observation calls our attention to the fact that, in general, it all depends upon who is using Facial Recognition technology, and for what purpose(s). Best wishes!

Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak

Thank you for helping to launch this discussion thread. And, yes, it is rather timely. I only thought of asking the question because Facial Recognition technology would eliminate some of the close contact typically required in everyday simple transactions. In fact, the business community, especially small businesses, shops, grocery stores, and so forth, have had to close, or open only partially, because their employees and clientele would normally be in closer proximity than the minimum of six feet required to follow social distancing protocols. A few months ago, I saw an international television news segment showing artificially intelligent robotic machines the size of a seven-year-old child taking orders and delivering items to customers seated at small tables for two in a coffee shop---I think that the setting was somewhere in China, which seems to be on the news for one reason or another quite a lot these days. Best wishes.

The important thing is that it is impossible to contain the introduction of recognition technologies, regardless of the hazard or safety aspects. Society will gradually adapt to these systems, both legally and morally.

Vladimir Rotkin ,

Thank you for your contribution to this discussion thread; I very much appreciate your reply, which is optimistic and realistic, I think. Best regards.