Technology experts at NextAdvisor.com have taken a deep dive into the new face recognition of the iPhone X, examining how it works, what sets it apart from past phone tech and what privacy implications it surfaces. I talked with NextAdvisor.com’s Michael Osakwe to ask him whether you should be using the new technology.
Consumers just need to know a few bullet-points in order to understand how Face ID functions. One of the more important factors: It’s attention-based, meaning it only works when your gaze is on the phone. If your eyes are closed while you sleep, or if you’re being forced to look at it, the phone won’t open. Another big revelation: Face ID creates a mathematical representation of the user’s face, meaning the phone doesn’t store a security image, and there’s no database of Apple users’ faces somewhere out on the cloud. Face ID uses two neural networks. One recognizes your face despite a wide variety of complications — different lighting, different facial hair, different jewelry — while a second one is defensive, fighting off attempts to spoof or replicate the image in order to access your phone. The bottom line: There’s just a one-in-a-million chance that a stranger’s face could unlock your phone. Face ID represents a step forward in unlocking technology… and in letting neural networks influence our lives.
Face ID appears to be a secure biometric system for the average individual — after all, Apple is rolling out to everyone. However, certain “more speculative and long-term concerns” have privacy and security proponents like Michael a little concerned. First of all, it’s always on. In short, just the process of normalizing facial recognition tech could open the door to government overreach or advertising hyper-targeting, a point Edward Snowden has made in the past. “The increasing usage of biometrics for consumer security will likely reignite the Apple vs. FBI debate. Some also fear that easy-to-use biometric systems, like Face ID, might wind up being used against consumers if they’re put into situations where they’re unable to act quickly enough to disable Face ID and are compelled to unlock their phone against their will.”
But an entirely different secondary concern centers on whether the facial recognition tech will prove itself as infallible as it claims to be. Could makeup artists pick up a second career as face forgers? Worse, Face ID has a single point of failure, your face. Should you lose to mathematical model that the tech relies on to a hack, you can’t exactly change your face like you can a password. What’s the bottom line? It’s a mixed bag, according to Michael. But while you’re waiting to find out how strong a shadow facial recognition will cast on privacy concerns around the globe, maybe get to know a makeup artist or two. Hey, it can’t hurt. Read more about the future of privacy here at TechCo
