Analyzing Facial Recognition: Privacy, Security, and Legal Aspects

This essay examines the increasing use of facial recognition technology, particularly in airports, and raises concerns about potential privacy violations. It analyzes the differences between Apple's facial recognition system, used for device security, and the systems implemented in US airports by the TSA. The essay explores whether opting out of facial recognition at airports is a sufficient alternative, considering the potential time inefficiencies of traditional methods. Ultimately, it concludes that while facial recognition technology offers benefits in terms of efficiency and security, it also poses a significant threat to individual privacy, especially given the potential for data breaches and government access to personal information.

FACIAL
RECOGNITION HITS
THE AIRPORT

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.................................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
With the advancement in the technology, new devices and inventions are developed by
human beings in order to ease the lifestyle of people. Facial recognition technology is also a
newly developed technology in which the human face is recognized by the machines by using
biometric and facial features. This technology is rapidly changing the human lives and is
currently used in mobile phones. This project will discuss the privacy issues of facial recognition
technology along with the comparison of Apple and US airports in utilizing the facial recognition
technology.
MAIN BODY
(1) Do you think it is an invasion of privacy to have facial recognition scans at airport
security?
The number of air travel passengers is growing at huge scale due to which facial
recognition technology has been started on airports. This technology has been proved efficient
and effective in some airports of United States. Through the facial recognition, the procedures of
checking boarding pass, passports, check in have reduced along with the time. However
implementation of such type of technology at the airports also started to cause privacy concerns
for the passengers (Face is the boarding pass that’s problem, 2019). TSA is using the facial
recognition technology for accessing the information of passport and other documents which
people are afraid that can be sold to any firm or person. The digital data servers can be hacked
with some efforts and there are several cases noted of the facial recognition. Such incidents are
proof that data saved digitally can be hacked and utilized without even the acknowledgment of
the person whose data is saved.
(2) Is offering an ability to opt out a sufficient alternative?
Several US firms such as JetBlue are using the facial recognition technology for
verification instead of scanning the boarding pass and passport. This technology is quite time
efficient but people who are having security concerns can opt out anytime during the verification
process. This is the sufficient alternative for the passengers but after utilizing this alternative, the

passengers have to go through several hectic traditional procedures which can be proved waste of
time for the passengers as well as for the authorities (Americans can Opt out of Facial
recognition. 2019). The digital technology is fast and saves the precious time of the authorities
and passengers and opting out of it can cause troubles as traditional technology is time
consuming and require more workforce than digital technology which is also costly. Also this
alternative is very effective for the people of several nations including East Asian countries such
as China, Japan where people are very similar in terms of facial recognition.
(3) How is Apple's facial recognition for sign in different from the airport facial recognition
process?
The facial recognition technology used by the Apple is implemented for the log in
function and Apple pay transactions only. The mechanism contains processes such as dot
projector, infrared camera, and flood illuminator for a clear picture scan even in dark. This
provides the safety and security to the data of the people and the data can’t be accessed by
anyone other than the authorized person. The data is collected by the Apple Corporation and the
firm is strictly against disclosing of data to any person or organization (How Apple face ID
works, 2019). Whereas the facial recognition implemented at the airports are based on the
images of passports and other official documents along with their data. Apple implemented the
technology in their phones for safety measures of the user data, whereas the facial recognition
data collected by the airports went to TSA which is owned by Homeland Security i.e. data will
be sent to government which may be used for security and safety reasons of the country and
people (Facial recognition at the airports, 2019)
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above discussed assessment that the use of facial
technology in the airports can pose threat towards the privacy of the data of the passengers. TSA
is implementing this technology on airports for the ease of the passengers so that the time can be
saved of the passengers as well as of the authorities. The Apple facial recognition technology is
different from that of the TSA as the Apple corporation safeguards the data of their customers
themselves and TSA is operated under government so government can have access to the data
when required.

REFERENCES
Online
Face is the boarding pass that’s problem. 2019. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/06/10/your-face-is-now-your-boarding-pass-
thats-problem/>
How Apple face ID works. 2019. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.lifewire.com/face-
id-4151714>
Americans can Opt out of Facial recognition. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/13/americans-opt-out-facial-recognition-airport/>
Facial recognition at the airports. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-you-ready-for-facial-recognition-at-the-airport-
11565775008>