Benefit Vs. Risk of Facial Recognition Technology
Law enforcement agencies are using facial recognition software as a crime-fighting tool. Now businesses are looking to use the technology to reach customers. But a professor questions whether customers are ready for it.
Many states are using the technology to scan driver's licenses to prevent identity fraud. It led to the arrest of a suspected arsonist in New York. And while facial recognition technology could not identify the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, police used the software in their search.
These recent headlines illustrate the benefits this technology provides for law enforcement agencies in an investigation. Not surprisingly, many businesses also see an advantage in using facial recognition, not for crime-fighting, but to reach customers. However, Brian Mennecke, an associate professor of information systems at Iowa State University, questions whether customers are ready for it.
