Facial Recognition Software: Are We Already Living in the Future?

The facial recognition market is on the rise and is expected to grow to $7.7 billion in 2022 from $4 billion back in 2017. A facial recognition system uses biometrics to map facial features from a photograph, video, or live feed. It compares the information collected with a database of known faces to find a match. This technology can be used in many different ways from surveillance to marketing, causing an even greater demand. Although its use is a great technology to verify personal identity, it also raises privacy issues.  

Because of prevalent privacy issues facial recognition is not yet widely used in the United States. So far, this technology is predominately used for commercial use by private companies, but there are countries that use this on the state level and on a way larger scale. 

China has a very in-depth facial recognition system that logs nearly every single citizen in the country, they do this with an extensive network of cameras across the country.

A screen shows a demonstration of SenseTime Group’s SenseVideo pedestrian and vehicle recognition system at the company’s showroom in Beijing. Gilles Sabrie/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The state has about 200 million surveillance cameras placed around the country, these track big spenders in luxury retail stores, catch identity thieves, prevent violent crime, find fugitives, snag jaywalkers, and even catch sleeping students in the classroom.

It is believed that nearly every citizen is in China’s facial recognition database. Their mandated state ID’s now involve scanning your face so that the cameras can correctly identify citizens. 

The goals of China’s facial recognition system are to condition society into following rules, create less waste, and provide stronger security.

This technology is already actively used by the state in China and is being tested in Dubai along with other places around the world. There is no question that facial recognition is our future and will be used more commonly, the question is to what level will it be used in the United States.

It is important to be aware of technological advances and debates across the globe because in a matter of time these debates will explode within our own country. With this new technology will come new legislation, new businesses, and new experiences.