Australia's conflicted stance on facial recognition tech

Published Date: 30/07/2024

A new survey reveals that Australians are open to using facial recognition for ID verification, but are hesitant about its use for surveillance and commercial purposes.

"Facial recognition technology has been increasingly used in Australia, with applications in retail outlets, sport stadiums, and casinos. The technology is expected to become even more widespread with the expansion of the Australian government's digital identification system in November. Despite its growing presence, there is a general lack of understanding about how facial recognition technology works and its potential implications. 

A recent national survey of over 2,000 Australians revealed that almost three-quarters of respondents know little about facial recognition technology. However, when it comes to its use, Australians are more comfortable with one-to-one uses, such as unlocking smartphones or accessing government services. 

The survey also found that a majority of respondents support the use of facial recognition technology for identifying criminal suspects and verifying identities during disasters or war. However, there was less support for its use in the workplace or for commercial purposes.

The technology works by creating a template from a photograph of a known individual, which is then compared to new photos to see if there is a match. While it has the potential to be useful, there are also concerns about its accuracy, particularly when it comes to certain demographic groups. 

Given the potential risks and benefits, it is crucial that governments listen to the public and ensure that the responsible and democratic use of facial recognition technology is prioritized. This includes providing better public education about the technology and the issues it raises, as well as implementing legislation to minimize the risk of creating an automated surveillance society.

   The Australian Federal Police is the national law enforcement agency of Australia, responsible for enforcing federal laws and investigating crimes. Clearview AI is a company that provides facial recognition technology, which has been used by law enforcement agencies in the past."

FAQs:

"Q: What is facial recognition technology?

A: Facial recognition technology is a type of biometric identification that uses facial features to identify individuals.

Q: What are the two main uses of facial recognition technology?

A: The two main uses of facial recognition technology are one-to-one, which verifies an individual's identity, and one-to-many, which identifies unknown individuals.

Q: What are the concerns about facial recognition technology?

A: Concerns about facial recognition technology include its potential for surveillance, racial bias, and misidentification, as well as the risk of creating an automated surveillance society.

Q: What do Australians think about facial recognition technology?

A: A recent survey found that Australians are open to using facial recognition technology for ID verification, but are hesitant about its use for surveillance and commercial purposes.

Q: What is needed to ensure the responsible use of facial recognition technology?

A: Better public education, legislation, and measures to ensure notification and consent are needed to ensure the responsible and democratic use of facial recognition technology."

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