Mixed Views in Australia on Facial Recognition Tech, Survey Shows

A recent survey conducted by researchers at Monash University and the Australian National University has shed light on the Australian public's perception of facial recognition technology. The results, published in a report titled 'Australian public attitudes to facial recognition technology,' reveal a mixed bag of opinions on the matter. While some Australians support the use of facial recognition, others have expressed strong opposition to its deployment in specific settings.\n\nAccording to the survey, nearly three-quarters of Australians claim to know little about facial recognition technology. Despite this lack of knowledge, 43.5% of respondents stated that they support the overall use of the technology, while 30.8% expressed opposition to it. A significant proportion of respondents, however, remain undecided, reflecting the relatively low knowledge about the technology in the community.\n\nThe survey also revealed that public support for facial recognition varies depending on the context in which it is used. Emergency workers using the technology to identify victims of disasters or war received the highest level of public support, with 80.2% in favor. Police use of facial recognition to catch criminal suspects was also widely supported, with 75.2% of respondents in agreement.

On the other hand, the use of facial recognition in retail outlets and workplaces was met with strong opposition. Tech companies like Google and Facebook also scored low in terms of public trust, with only 19% and 17% of respondents respectively expressing trust in these companies.\n\nIn contrast, the majority of respondents (57%) supported the use of facial recognition for accessing government services, which could potentially give a boost to the upcoming digital ID scheme. Age verification for online gambling and pornography also received high endorsement, with 61% and 51% of respondents respectively backing these uses.\n\nThe survey also highlighted the importance of notification and consent, with 90% of Australians stating that they wanted to know when and where the technology was being used and to have the option to consent to its use.\n\nOne positive finding of the survey was that the majority of people (58.7%) perceive facial recognition as accurate, while only 3.9% believe the technology to be inaccurate or very inaccurate.\n\nAccording to Mark Andrejevic, chief researcher and professor at Monash University, the survey results demonstrate a need for greater awareness and understanding of facial recognition technology and its implications. 'People need a better understanding of how, why and where facial recognition systems operate, how their personal data will be processed, used and stored, what kinds of risks they might confront from participating, and what mechanisms hold the technology accountable,' Andrejevic said.

"Q: What percentage of Australians support the use of facial recognition technology?

A: 43.5% of respondents stated that they support the overall use of facial recognition technology.

Q: In which context is facial recognition technology most widely supported?

A: Emergency workers using the technology to identify victims of disasters or war received the highest level of public support.

Q: What is the primary concern of Australians regarding facial recognition technology?

A: Notification and consent, with 90% of Australians stating that they wanted to know when and where the technology was being used and to have the option to consent to its use.

Q: How many Australians believe that facial recognition technology is accurate?

A: 58.7% of respondents perceive facial recognition as accurate.

Q: What is the proposed use of facial recognition technology in the Australian government's digital ID scheme?

A: The majority of respondents (57%) supported the use of facial recognition for accessing government services, which could potentially give a boost to the upcoming digital ID scheme."