Facial Recognition

Software that employs machine vision to identify a human's identity by mapping unique facial traits and expressions. Detection first occurs using the Viola-Jones Algorithm or a variant, which continuously scans the image looking for areas of contrast that are specific to human faces: nose bridges are lighter than the sides, and eye-sockets are darker than the forehead, for instance. Then, to locate facial features, it uses an active human-trained statistical model, which has learned the borders of facial features and applies that to scan to recognize a user's face. This can be used as a biometric identifier for certain areas or services or to identify suspects quickly.

Gender Equality

Challenges

• It might help enforce discriminatory laws and legal practices.

• Could be used to blackmail innocent individuals because of their family's background.

• Might be extremely dangerous to LGBTQI+ community due to data sensitivity.

Opportunities

• Implement forms of monitoring and evaluation to ensure the safety and autonomy in the private sphere of women-identified, girls, non-binary, and transgender individuals.

• For transitioning individuals, this helps them erase their past online presence.

• Can improve access to goods and services for women without the possession of legal documents.

• It might help family reunification at critical times.