TL;DR

Facial recognition uses AI to identify people by analyzing unique facial features. It's convenient for unlocking phones and organizing photos but raises privacy and surveillance concerns.

How it works

  1. Detection: AI finds faces in images or video
  2. Analysis: Measures distances between eyes, nose, mouth, jaw
  3. Encoding: Converts measurements into a unique "faceprint"
  4. Matching: Compares faceprints to database
  5. Identification: Returns match (or "no match")

Where you encounter it

  • Unlocking smartphones (Face ID, Face Unlock)
  • Tagging friends in photos (Facebook, Google Photos)
  • Airport security and border control
  • Security cameras and surveillance
  • Payment authentication

Benefits

  • Fast, convenient unlocking
  • Organizes photos automatically
  • Enhances security (hard to fake a face)
  • Helps find missing persons

Concerns

  • Privacy: Tracked without consent in public
  • Surveillance: Governments use it to monitor citizens
  • Bias: Less accurate for people of color, women
  • Misuse: Stalking, harassment, discrimination

How to protect yourself

  • Disable face tagging on social media
  • Use passwords instead of face unlock for sensitive apps
  • Wear masks or glasses to avoid recognition (in public)
  • Check privacy settings on photo apps

What's next

  • AI and Privacy Basics
  • Biometric Security Explained
  • AI Surveillance and Ethics