Facebook has announced that it is shutting down its facial-recognition technology and deleting the facial images of 1 billion users.
The move comes after anger at the way Facebook's face data could be used by Facebook, advertisers, and government agencies.
Facial recognition technology can be used to identify individuals by their face alone using highly complex computer technology. Facial recognition technology is also increasingly used by governments and police agencies across the world. While some see the development as a useful crime-fighting tool, others see it as a grievous breach of privacy and a threat in the hands of authoritarian regimes. There have also been countless complaints after facial-recognition technology falsely identified innocent individuals, particularly those of an ethnic minority background.
Jerome Pesenti, Facebook's VP of Artificial Intelligence, released a statement saying:
"We're shutting down the Face Recognition system on Facebook. As part of this change, people who have opted in to our Face Recognition setting will no longer be automatically recognized in photos and videos, and we will delete the facial recognition template used to identify them."
Adding that it was one of:
"The largest shifts in facial recognition usage in the technology's history."
However, they also stated:
"Looking ahead, we still see facial recognition technology as a powerful tool, for example, for people needing to verify their identity, or to prevent fraud and impersonation. We believe facial recognition can help for products like these with privacy, transparency and control in place, so you decide if and how your face is used. We will continue working on these technologies and engaging outside experts."
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This statement will no doubt infuriate and worry civil-liberties campaigners and privacy activists, as well as members of the public who believe Facebook should be a fun social media platform and not a tool for greater interference in their personal lives.
Facebook has previously come under extreme scrutiny for selling personal information to companies and political parties and has even been accused of swinging historically important elections.
Last year, Facebook spent more money than any other tech company on lobbying in order to gain sway with US politicians and the US political system.
[Based on reporting by: Futurism]
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