1 You pick up your phone and stare at it. Instantly, the screen unlocks. But it won’t
do that for anyone else. The phone knows who you are. It recognizes the shape of your
face.
2 Welcome to the world of the latest iPhone. It comes with a feature called Face ID.
Apple executive Phil Schiller described it this way at the product launch: “. . . your
iPhone is locked until you look at it and it recognizes you. Nothing has ever been more
simple, natural, and effortless.”
3 Your face isn’t the only characteristic you can use as a password. Many
smartphones already accept fingerprint logins. Other security systems check the shape
of the ear, patterns in the eye, or the way a person walks. All of these characteristics,
called biometrics, are unique enough to identify someone.
4 People like using biometrics for security because they’re easy. You can’t misplace
or forget your own face. They’re also usually very secure. It’s hard to fake another
person’s body parts. But it’s not impossible.
5 And the face may be one of the easiest body parts to copy. Most teens post plenty
of selfies. These could potentially help someone hack into a system like Face ID.
6 In 2016, researchers at the University of North Carolina gathered publicly available
Facebook photos. They used them to build 3D models of faces. Then they showed
these fake faces to five different facial recognition systems. Four out of the five let the
imposter in. (Face ID wasn’t part of the test.)
7 Once a biometric password has been stolen, you can’t easily change it. You can’t
get a new face!
8 There’s one more aspect of facial recognition that worries experts. It would be easy
for someone else to hold your phone in front of your face to unlock it. . . .
9 Some people probably won’t worry about all that. It’s just too cool to be able to
unlock a device at a glance.
Source 2: As facial‑recognition technology grows, so does wariness about privacy.
by Rachel Lerman
10 As Mike Vance approaches the glass door that leads to RealNetworks’ engineering
office, he smiles slightly at a small camera mounted in front of him. Click. The
door unlocks, responding to a command from software powering the camera that
recognized Vance’s face and confirmed his identity.
11 Vance, a senior director of product management at the Seattle tech company,
leads the team that created Secure, Accurate Facial Recognition—or SAFR,
pronounced “safer.” . . .
12 It took three years, 8 million faces and more than 8 billion data points to develop
the technology, which can identify a face with near perfect accuracy. . . .
13 The introduction of the technology has thrust RealNetworks into the center of a
field that is growing quickly as software gets better at identifying faces. But growing
along with it are privacy concerns and rising calls for regulation—even from the
technology companies that are inventing the biometric software.
14 Facial‑recognition technology is already common, used in everything from photo
apps that sort pictures of people, to unlocking an iPhone, to law‑enforcement agencies
searching databases of driver’s license photos.
15 Facial recognition is used, broadly, in two ways, said Oren Etzioni, CEO of Seattle’s
Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the sister organization to Paul Allen’s brain
science institute. One is consumer convenience, such as grouping photos, and the
other is for surveillance and tracking. . . .
16 But now, as RealNetworks’ SAFR shows, the technology has been moving further
into public spaces. And with that, privacy advocates wonder if people fully realize how
often their faces are being scanned, and advocates and the industry alike question
where the line is between the benefits to the public and the cost to privacy.
Learning a face
17 Facial‑recognition technology functions much like fingerprinting—each face has
its own unique signature, and companies teach machines to recognize and match
people’s unique features.
18 RealNetworks’ technology maps 1,600 data points on each face it sees. The team
has been “training” its machine for about two years, since the launch of RealTimes,
its free app that lets people build photo slideshows. Baked into the 3,300‑word user
agreement for that app is language that allows RealNetworks to use customer photos
to train its facial‑recognition system.
19 SAFR doesn’t know the identity of people in the RealTimes photos, Vance said—
there are no names, addresses or other identifying information in the massive database
of 8 million faces. But what it can do is tell if two faces are the same person. It’s gotten
so accurate that it can tell identical twins apart and match family photos of the same
person even if they were taken decades apart. . . .
Between here and sci‑fi 20 In China, the technology is so common that it can identify people who are
jaywalking and display their photos on public digital billboards. 21 The U.S. isn’t near that level yet of routinely identifying people in public streets
or parks, said Clare Garvie, an associate at the Center on Privacy and Technology
at Georgetown Law Center, but she finds the lack of transparency into how the
technology is being used and the lack of federal laws troubling. . . . 22 But proper regulation could prevent that, and there’s reason to be optimistic,
Garvie said, pointing to Microsoft’s call for such laws.
23 Ultimately, the growth of facial recognition technology raises important questions
about privacy and security. As the technology becomes more widespread and
sophisticated, it is crucial for companies and governments to consider the ethical and
legal implications of its use. From protecting personal data to ensuring transparency
and accountability, there are many factors to consider in the evolving landscape of
biometric technology.
Explain whether facial recognition technology is more beneficial or more harmful.
Write a well-organized argumentative composition that uses specific evidence from the excerpts to support your answer.
Include:
* Hook: text title, author, and brief summary.
* Bridge: make reference to prompt
* Thesis: answer prompt without giving away too much information
*Topic Sentence: introduce your reasoning (prompt answer)
*Evidence: quote/paraphrase from the text where you got your answer from
*Commentary: explain how this reasoning proves your prompt answer
*Restate Thesis: begin with the phrase “in conclusion” or “to conclude,” and statement,
*Real World: make a connection to the real world without adding a new reason to support your thesis
**Hook: Aspects of Facial Recognition Technology**
The excerpts from "As facial‑recognition technology grows, so does wariness about privacy" by Rachel Lerman explore the benefits and potential harms of facial recognition technology. The author discusses how the technology is becoming more prevalent in our society, raising concerns about privacy and security.
**Bridge: Relevance to Prompt**
When considering whether facial recognition technology is more beneficial or harmful, it is crucial to examine the evidence presented in the excerpts and evaluate the impact of this technology on individuals and society.
**Thesis:**
Facial recognition technology has both beneficial and harmful aspects, but the potential for invasion of privacy and ethical concerns outweigh the convenience and security it offers.
**Topic Sentence:**
One of the primary concerns surrounding facial recognition technology is the invasion of privacy and the potential for misuse.
**Evidence:**
According to the text, the technology is being used for both consumer convenience, such as grouping photos, and for surveillance and tracking purposes. This dual use raises concerns about the extent to which individuals' faces are being scanned without their knowledge or consent.
**Commentary:**
This evidence highlights how facial recognition technology can be exploited for surveillance and tracking, potentially infringing on individuals' privacy rights. The ability to identify people in public spaces without their awareness or consent raises ethical questions about the boundaries of privacy in the digital age.
**Restate Thesis:**
In conclusion, while facial recognition technology offers benefits such as convenience and security, the potential for misuse and invasion of privacy raises significant concerns about its widespread use.
**Real World:**
The growing use of facial recognition technology in various industries, from marketing to law enforcement, underscores the need for regulations and safeguards to protect individuals' privacy rights. As we navigate the complexities of this technology, it is essential to prioritize ethical considerations and ensure that personal data is handled responsibly.
You need a quote from the text to support your evidence
**Hook: Aspects of Facial Recognition Technology**
The excerpts from "As facial‑recognition technology grows, so does wariness about privacy" by Rachel Lerman explore the benefits and potential harms of facial recognition technology. The author discusses how the technology is becoming more prevalent in our society, raising concerns about privacy and security.
**Bridge: Relevance to Prompt**
When considering whether facial recognition technology is more beneficial or harmful, it is crucial to examine the evidence presented in the excerpts and evaluate the impact of this technology on individuals and society.
**Thesis:**
Facial recognition technology has both beneficial and harmful aspects, but the potential for invasion of privacy and ethical concerns outweigh the convenience and security it offers.
**Topic Sentence:**
One of the primary concerns surrounding facial recognition technology is the invasion of privacy and the potential for misuse.
**Evidence:**
According to Rachel Lerman's text, "Facial‑recognition technology is already common, used in everything from photo apps that sort pictures of people, to unlocking an iPhone, to law‑enforcement agencies searching databases of driver’s license photos.
**Commentary:**
This evidence highlights how facial recognition technology can be exploited for surveillance and tracking, potentially infringing on individuals' privacy rights. The ability to identify people in public spaces without their awareness or consent raises ethical questions about the boundaries of privacy in the digital age.
**Restate Thesis:**
In conclusion, while facial recognition technology offers benefits such as convenience and security, the potential for misuse and invasion of privacy raises significant concerns about its widespread use.
**Real World:**
The growing use of facial recognition technology in various industries, from marketing to law enforcement, underscores the need for regulations and safeguards to protect individuals' privacy rights. As we navigate the complexities of this technology, it is essential to prioritize ethical considerations and ensure that personal data is handled responsibly.
You have to compare two articles.
I'm sorry for any confusion earlier regarding the need to compare two articles. As of now, I only have access to one article, "As facial‑recognition technology grows, so does wariness about privacy" by Rachel Lerman. If you would like a comparison between two articles on facial recognition technology, please provide the content or key points from the second article, and I would be happy to help you compare them.
You have to talk about why it’s beneficial
**Hook: Facial Recognition Technology: Balancing Benefits and Concerns**
In the article "As facial‑recognition technology grows, so does wariness about privacy" by Rachel Lerman, the author explores the expanding presence of facial recognition technology in our society and the accompanying privacy concerns. Despite these concerns, it is essential to acknowledge the potential benefits that facial recognition technology can offer.
**Bridge: Relevance to Prompt**
When discussing the impact of facial recognition technology, it is vital to consider both its positive and negative aspects. While the article raises valid concerns about privacy, it is equally important to recognize the benefits that this technology can bring to various sectors.
**Thesis:**
Facial recognition technology has the potential to deliver significant benefits, including enhanced security, convenience, and efficiency, despite the legitimate privacy concerns it raises.
**Topic Sentence:**
One of the primary advantages of facial recognition technology is its ability to improve security measures and enhance public safety.
**Evidence:**
The text highlights how facial recognition technology can be used by law enforcement agencies for various purposes, such as searching databases of driver’s license photos. This application can assist in identifying individuals involved in criminal activities and enhancing public safety.
**Commentary:**
By utilizing facial recognition technology in law enforcement and security settings, authorities can more effectively track and apprehend individuals who pose a threat to society. This not only enhances public safety but also enables a quicker response to potential security risks.
**Topic Sentence:**
Another benefit of facial recognition technology lies in its capacity to streamline processes, improve convenience, and enhance user experience in various industries.
**Evidence:**
The article mentions how photo apps use facial recognition technology to sort pictures of people, demonstrating how this technology can simplify tasks and make interactions more efficient for users.
**Commentary:**
By automating tasks such as sorting photos or unlocking devices, facial recognition technology saves time, enhances convenience, and improves user experience in a wide range of applications. This efficiency can benefit businesses, organizations, and individuals alike by optimizing processes and reducing manual efforts.
**Restate Thesis:**
In conclusion, while facial recognition technology sparks valid privacy concerns, it also offers significant benefits such as enhanced security measures, convenience, and operational efficiency. Striking a balance between maximizing these advantages and addressing privacy considerations is crucial in the ongoing development and implementation of facial recognition technology.
**Real World:**
In today's digital age, the continued advancement of facial recognition technology presents opportunities to enhance security, streamline operations, and improve user experiences across various industries. By leveraging the benefits of this technology while implementing robust privacy safeguards, we can navigate its potential advantages responsibly and ethically.