Why Using Facial Recognition to Enforce Rules Isn t a Great Idea
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Getty Images / Weiquan Lin Chinese gaming company Tencent is using facial recognition technology to enforce a gaming curfew on minors, and experts say a world of tech-enforced rules isn’t far off. Facial recognition software isn't new technology, but as it becomes more advanced, it has more controversial uses outside of just unlocking our smartphones. Dr. Vir Phoha, a professor at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University, said there are many concerns when using facial recognition to enforce rules, but that one specifically stands out from the rest. “My number one concern is that… private industry becomes an instrument of state to enforce laws,” Phoha told Lifewire over the phone. "And that is important because there may not be enough checks and balances within…private industry to ensure that there is transparency in how things are being done internally.”
Tencent said it is using facial recognition technology to catch kids playing video games late hours into the night. China passed a bill in 2019 that enforces a gaming curfew on anyone under 18, and limits time spent playing a game to weekday and weekend hours. So while the technology seems invasive, it was created to solve the issue of kids going against the curfew. According to Digital Trends, the tech, known as “Midnight Patrol,” scans a person’s face from the computer screen to match it to a registered name and face and keeps track of their playing time accordingly. Getty Images / ImagePatch Even if some parents would welcome a second eye on their kids obeying the rules, can technology really replace a parent? “I think there is a conflict between parental rights and parental obligations. And with state-mandated things, parents are usually the best judges,” Phoha said. Although this specific tech is in China, the Federal Trade Commission approved a verifiable parental-consent method in 2015 that allows entities to use facial-recognition technology to obtain parental consent. This tech is a little different in that it is geared at scanning parents’ faces before kids can access certain content to ensure a parent consents to it. However, Phoha said that having a camera in your home monitoring things opens you up for potential trouble. “If a camera is allowed in the home, like a third party allowing access to my home, when my kid is playing, I think that's a big, big issue,” he said.
Why Using Facial Recognition to Enforce Rules Isn’t a Great Idea
Playing by the rules?
By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 9, 2021 02:52PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart & Connected Life Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming GamingKey Takeaways
Tencent created a facial recognition technology to catch kids playing video games past a state-mandated curfew. Parental control without parents watching over kids’ shoulders isn’t a new thing. Experts say issues with facial recognition-enforced rules include personal privacy and accuracy.Getty Images / Weiquan Lin Chinese gaming company Tencent is using facial recognition technology to enforce a gaming curfew on minors, and experts say a world of tech-enforced rules isn’t far off. Facial recognition software isn't new technology, but as it becomes more advanced, it has more controversial uses outside of just unlocking our smartphones. Dr. Vir Phoha, a professor at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University, said there are many concerns when using facial recognition to enforce rules, but that one specifically stands out from the rest. “My number one concern is that… private industry becomes an instrument of state to enforce laws,” Phoha told Lifewire over the phone. "And that is important because there may not be enough checks and balances within…private industry to ensure that there is transparency in how things are being done internally.”
Parental Controls Without The Parents
Tencent said it is using facial recognition technology to catch kids playing video games late hours into the night. China passed a bill in 2019 that enforces a gaming curfew on anyone under 18, and limits time spent playing a game to weekday and weekend hours. So while the technology seems invasive, it was created to solve the issue of kids going against the curfew. According to Digital Trends, the tech, known as “Midnight Patrol,” scans a person’s face from the computer screen to match it to a registered name and face and keeps track of their playing time accordingly. Getty Images / ImagePatch Even if some parents would welcome a second eye on their kids obeying the rules, can technology really replace a parent? “I think there is a conflict between parental rights and parental obligations. And with state-mandated things, parents are usually the best judges,” Phoha said. Although this specific tech is in China, the Federal Trade Commission approved a verifiable parental-consent method in 2015 that allows entities to use facial-recognition technology to obtain parental consent. This tech is a little different in that it is geared at scanning parents’ faces before kids can access certain content to ensure a parent consents to it. However, Phoha said that having a camera in your home monitoring things opens you up for potential trouble. “If a camera is allowed in the home, like a third party allowing access to my home, when my kid is playing, I think that's a big, big issue,” he said.