Facial recognition on a large scale like this isnt like FaceID on your iPhone.
Is it any wonder the tech giant spent $24,000 lobbying against the bill?
Where Is Facial Recognition Used?
izusek / Getty Images
Its not just the border guard that uses automated face recognition (AFR) tech.
How about that science-fiction movie cliche, billboards that recognize you and target ads at you?
Its all possible now, and could become commonplace unless the law steps in.
John Lund / Getty Images
Abuse of these systems is a real danger.
If nothing else, you could be automatically tracked wherever you go, which means an end to privacy.
Theres another big problem, too: Stolen biometric data.
Once a bad actor has those, they can impersonate you forever.
What About the Bans?
Portlands bangoes further than most.
This means no targeted advertising, and no end-runs from the police by subcontracting out the surveillance.
That doesnt happen without the jot down of community and employee advocacy that weve seen over the last year.
Another significant ban justcame into force in Wales, UK.
The court has prohibited AFR because the law still hasnt caught up to the reality.
In contrast, bans in the US have often been supported by the police.
And thats down to civil liberties groups raising public awareness.
This pressure has also forced private companies to get in line.
Protest and pressure are working.
We just have to fight it.
