About facial recognition
What is it?
Facial recognition software takes an image of a face from a video or photo and automatically identifies or verifies who that face belongs to. Generally, the image is converted to ‘‘biometric data’’ that can be matched to a file photo.
How is it used?
It can be used in security systems, for example to verify keycard users, or by Customs to check passport photos at some New Zealand airports. Facebook uses it to detect when new images of a person are uploaded, while some of the latest smartphones have a feature that allows the phone to be unlocked when the user looks at it or to authenticate payments by phone. It can also be used in CCTV surveillance, for example to identify known shoplifters or suspects wanted by police.
How accurate is it?
In some applications, not very. Experts say it is much easier to get a correct match when people are aware their photo is being taken, such as from a camera aimed directly at a willing subject at a passport gate. Images from a more distant CCTV camera are more likely to generate falsepositives, where people are identified incorrectly.
How widespread is it in New Zealand?
It is nowhere near as common as it is in England, where more than half of fashion retailers use facial recognition CCTV surveillance. The Metropolitan police in London use it to identify suspects from the network of CCTV cameras. Facial recognition CCTV technology is used at some Foodstuffs stores in the North Island, along with one Mitre 10 Mega believed to be in the Auckland area. It is also used by Customs to verify passport photos at many international airports. Some commercial premises use it as an extra layer of security to prevent keycard theft.
What are people’s rights?
Very hazy. In general, there is no right to privacy in a public area, and anyone can film or photograph anyone else in the supermarket or street. That said, a spokesman for the Privacy Commissioner said his office would ‘‘expect to see signage and messages informing customers that the technology is in use’’.