The ethical questions that haunt facial-recognition research

Nature ^ | 18 Nov, 2020 | Richard Van Noorden

[MtnClimber]

In September 2019, four researchers wrote to the publisher Wiley to “respectfully ask” that it immediately retract a scientific paper. The study, published in 2018, had trained algorithms to distinguish faces of Uyghur people, a predominantly Muslim minority ethnic group in China, from those of Korean and Tibetan ethnicity1.

China had already been internationally condemned for its heavy surveillance and mass detentions of Uyghurs in camps in the northwestern province of Xinjiang — which the government says are re-education centres aimed at quelling a terrorist movement. According to media reports, authorities in Xinjiang have used surveillance cameras equipped with software attuned to Uyghur faces.

As a result, many researchers found it disturbing that academics had tried to build such algorithms — and that a US journal had published a research paper on the topic. And the 2018 study wasn’t the only one: journals from publishers including Springer Nature, Elsevier and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) had also published peer-reviewed papers that describe using facial recognition to identify Uyghurs and members of other Chinese minority groups. (Nature’s news team is editorially independent from its publisher, Springer Nature.)

[MtnClimber]

It is becoming a complex new world. When I think back to engineering projects I have worked on in the past, I realize that this probably goes beyond what most people can imagine.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

I understand that several police agencies are now applying 'facial recognition' to their civilian surveillance programs.

[ClearCase_guy]

Ya know, if you produce facial recognition software which DOESN’T differentiate, because — you know — they all look alike, then that’s going to be a problem too.

[cradle of freedom]

Science in not always our friend. Science can be a tool or a weapon depending on the will of the people using it.

[cgbg]

What the world needs now is masks with a middle finger showing...

Let the frackers know what you _really_ think about them.

[cradle of freedom]

Imagine if a politician was caught by facial recognition? How would that work out? Facial recognition for thee but not for me.

[MtnClimber]

Yes, and facial details and identification coming from where?

[cradle of freedom]

And tee shirts can be a walking billboard. :^)

[cradle of freedom]

And tee shirts can be a walking billboard. :^)

[Navy Patriot]

So the all knowing, super enlightened, educated elite, ethically caring empathetics at Nature have produced some Final Solution Software for the Chinese.

Gee, they know so much, and they meant well ...

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

cradle of freedom :" And tee shirts can be a walking billboard. :^) "

I believe that that is how the Feds have identified AntiFa criminals; they use videoed manner of clothing, shoes, sneakers, helmet, etc.,
and then back track the video, or a series of cameras video, transponders, or 'traffic cams' to see how they arrived at the crime site,
and then are identified by license plate, or by vehicle make and model.
Since manner of dress can identify the 'perps', they are now bringing change of clothing inside their backpacks to defeat this surveillance.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

MtnClimber :" When I think back to engineering projects I have worked on in the past,
I realize that this probably goes beyond what most people can imagine."

I recall that technological data and information used to be doubling every six years,
then modified to doubling every three years,
and last I recall, data and information was doubling every 16 months.
The world situations and technology are changing the world I once knew,.. and making it into a blur !

[blam]

"The world situations and technology are changing the world I once knew,.. and making it into a blur ! "

My entire chip-making career (beginning in 1967) was accomplished working under the pressures of Moore's Law.(It made all the things you mentioned possible)

I loved it.

[MtnClimber]

Almost all facial data is collected without consent. But, I am sure that the Department of Motor Vehicles will say you consented when you had your DL photo taken and volunteered your name and address.

[cradle of freedom]

That is interesting. I am glad that they can track down Antifa.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

: "Almost all facial data is collected without consent.
But, I am sure that the Department of Motor Vehicles will say you consented when you had your DL photo taken
and volunteered your name and address."

Exactly true !
A drivers license is considered a 'privilege' issued by the State; even a non-drivers State issued identification hs photo id.
Nowadays, a government issued photo id is mandatory for many non-state functions:
open a bank account
get a library card
buy cigarettes or get beer in a convenience store, etc.
get cable internet, or even cable TV.
get a credit card, etc.,
or even get a passport.