Is Facial Recognition Enough To Keep You Or Your Personal Information Safe?

The global facial recognition market is expected to generate $9.6 billion in revenue by 2022. The technology has seen incredible growth in investment and advancement– with security being one of the biggest applications. In an era filled with mass shootings and data breaches, it has become more imperative than ever for companies to create safer environments with the latest technology available. From securing schools to securing corporate data, facial recognition has found important uses throughout the industry.

For school districts, there is a specific, urgent focus on security today. Due to the rash of school shootings, many students, faculty members, and administrative officials have questioned the efficacy of surveillance cameras and safety drills. One school district in New York is using facial recognition technology to identify potential threats, such as an expelled student or sex offender, and promptly alert on-site security officials.

This technology, school officials argue, would be another effective tool in preventing tragedies like Parkland. “This would have identified (Cruz) as not being able to be in that building,” Tony Olivo told ABC News, a security consultant who recommended the system for Lockport. The consultant argued cameras placed throughout the building would have followed the banned student’s every move until he or she left.

Banks and corporations also aim to benefit their security measures from facial recognition. Companies like MasterCard are using biometric security measures like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning through their ‘MasterCard Identity Check Mobile App’ to verify online payments. While consumers often grapple between facial recognition and their rights to privacy, this system proved to be popular—with 92% of 750 Dutch users surveyed saying it’s more convenient than passwords.

To complement the increased use of biometric security measures, there are also companies like Kairos working daily to further improve the technology. Using computer vision and machine learning, Kairos’ cache of tools like gender and age detection to fill gaps in a still evolving industry.

As debates on privacy limits will surely continue, facial recognition is changing the way Americans do security.