Experience-Based Recommendations for Face Recognition

Face recognition is one of the most powerful and misunderstood technologies in modern times. It can help determine or help verify identity and then link that identity to specific times, locations, activities, and other persons present. In the hands of trained and experienced experts it is properly and successfully used every day to make us safer. In examples such as fighting child pornography, screening at major security events, and enabling the integrity of international border crossings, face recognition has been a successful tool in identifying suspicious actors intent on harming others or breaking laws. Simpler versions are also being used for personal electronics, access control, and time/attendance applications.

Well-trained and experienced users with nefarious intents could also use the technology for improper purposes however, such as general citizen surveillance. The bigger problem in the U.S. has been untrained and inexperienced entities who attempt to: use the technology for valid purposes, but end up confusing their users and producing inconsistent results; and design and promulgate policies and legislation that limit its use in positive applications or accidentally make it more difficult to ensure appropriate use.