Who has your face?
No. 68: Bringing you the news that matters in video privacy and security
Many organisations are taking advantage of facial recognition and the collection of biometric data as a means to heighten security and safety. As a result, privacy is playing catch up. It's difficult to know when a camera is collecting biometric data, let alone the reasons why. Therefore, it begs the question: who really has copies of our faces?
Last week, New York schools banned facial recognition, asserting that the associated risks of the technology overshadowed any potential security advantages.
In parallel, individual biometric data rights have been breached in the realm of entertainment. Tom Hanks recently cautioned fans about a deepfake dental advertisement that unauthorisedly employed his likeness.
Both instances underscore a major concern: the potential of facial recognition and deepfake technologies to erode personal agency and distort verifiable truths.
As biometric technology evolves, our facial features are becoming more than a part of our identity - they are now a commodity. They are now data that is prone to theft, misuse, and misrepresentation.
We can't exactly stop from going outside and living our daily lives, but organisations implementing this technology need to be forced to hold up the ethical mirror. Banning facial recognition is one avenue, but it is not necessarily going to last as a long-term solution. Lawmakers and technological and privacy experts need to be involved in the conversation to move biometric technology forward in a way that doesn't compromise privacy.
As always, please send any feedback or topics of interest you would like to be covered.
Seena, Editor
News
New York bans facial recognition in schools over privacy and bias concerns
New York has prohibited the use of facial recognition technology in state schools, citing concerns about student privacy, potential civil rights violations, and a higher rate of false positives among certain groups. This decision follows a report indicating that the risks associated with this technology in educational environments might surpass its security benefits.
Biometric Update: Facial recognition shut out of New York State schools
Privacy fears over video monitoring of psychiatric patients in UK hospitals
A campaign group is demanding an inquiry into Oxevision, an electronic system that watches psychiatric patients in their bedrooms and sends their vital signs and video footage to staff. Critics say Oxevision breaches patient privacy, dignity, and consent, and could be misused or abused.
Uber Eats’ delivery bot shares video evidence with LAPD
A company that provides food delivery robots to Uber Eats has shared video footage with the LAPD to help with a criminal investigation. Experts warn that autonomous technology, which relies on constant data collection, could easily become a source of intelligence for law enforcement agencies.
Gizmodo: Privacy Fears Abound After Uber Eats Delivery Bot Shares Video Footage With LAPD
404 Media: Food Delivery Robots Are Feeding Camera Footage to the LAPD, Internal Emails Show
UK ICO warns about data mismanagement that could endanger domestic abuse victims
The ICO has reprimanded seven entities in just over a year for data breaches that have endangered domestic abuse victims by revealing their addresses. Many of these instances were due to inadequate training and weak procedures in handling sensitive information.
The ICO: Data breaches put domestic abuse victims’ lives at risk, UK Information Commissioner warns
The Guardian: Data breaches putting domestic abuse victims’ lives at risk, says UK watchdog
Las Vegas casinos face large-scale data breach
Casino company, Caesars Entertainment, revealed that it was targeted by a cyberattack that may have exposed the personal information of its loyalty rewards members. A group called Scattered Spider, linked to a Russia-based operation, claimed responsibility for the attack.
AI Snippet of the Week
Tom Hanks alerts fans of AI deepfake advertisement
Tom Hanks has warned fans about a fake video that uses an AI version of him to promote a dental plan. This has also highlighted the issue of AI-generated deepfakes in the entertainment industry.
Sky News: Tom Hanks warns fans not to fall for deepfake advert using his face
The New York Times: Tom Hanks Warns of Dental Ad Using A.I. Version of Him
Policy Updates
UK Parliament passes the Online Safety Bill
The UK Parliament has passed the Online Safety Bill to regulate online content. It requires sites to screen for illegal or harmful material and introduce age verification for adult content sites. The law is one of the most far-reaching in the Western world and follows a wave of similar rules in Europe.
Reuters: UK's Online Safety Bill finally passed by parliament
The New York Times: Britain Passes Sweeping New Online Safety Law
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