Editing Facial Recognition Technology: Privacy and Accuracy Issues Related to Commercial Uses

== Citation ==

[[GAO]], '''Facial Recognition Technology: Privacy and Accuracy Issues Related to Commercial Uses,''' (GAO-20-522) (July 13, 2020) ([https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/708045.pdf full-text]).

== Overview ==

[[Facial recognition technology]] can [[verify]] or [[identify]] an individual from a [[facial image]]. Advocacy groups and others have raised [[privacy]] concerns related to private companies' use of the technology, as well as concerns that higher [[error rate]]s among some [[demographic|demographic]] groups could lead to disparate treatment.

[[File:Facial2.png|center|650px]]

The [[GAO]] was asked to review the commercial use of [[facial recognition technology]] and related [[accuracy]] and [[privacy]] issues. Among other issues, this report examines how companies use the [[technology]], its [[accuracy]] and how [[accuracy]] differs across [[demographic|demographic]] groups, and how [[privacy]] issues are addressed in laws and industry practices.

=== Accuracy === 

Although the [[accuracy]] of [[facial recognition technology]] has increased dramatically in recent years, differences in performance exist for certain demographic groups. [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] tests found that [[facial recognition technology]] generally performs better on lighter-skin men and worse on darker-skin women, and does not perform as well on children and elderly adults. These differences could result in more frequent [[misidentification]] for certain [[demographics]], such as [[misidentify]]ing a shopper as a shoplifter when comparing the individual's [[image]] against a [[data set]] of known shoplifters. There is no consensus on what causes performance differences, including physical factors (such as lighting) or factors related to the creation or operation of the [[technology]]. However, [[stakeholder]]s and literature identified various methods that could help [[mitigate]] differences in performance among demographic groups.

=== Privacy ===

[[Stakeholder]]s and literature identified concerns related to [[privacy]], such as the inability of individuals to remain [[anonymous]] in public or the use of the [[technology]] without individuals' [[consent]]. [[Facial recognition technology]] may [[collect]] or [[store]] [[facial image]]s, posing varying levels of [[risk]]. Some federal and state laws and the [[European Union]]'s [[General Data Protection Regulation]] impose requirements on U.S. companies related to [[facial recognition technology]]. However, as the [[GAO]] reported in 2015, there is no comprehensive federal [[privacy law]] governing the [[collection]], use, and sale of [[personal information]] by [[private-sector]] companies. Some [[stakeholder]]s, including [[privacy]] and industry groups, have developed voluntary frameworks that seek to address [[privacy]] concerns. Most of these frameworks were consistent with internationally recognized principles for protecting the [[privacy]] and [[security]] of [[personal information]]. However, U.S. companies are not required to follow these voluntary frameworks.

=== Conclusion ===

The [[GAO]] reiterates its previous suggestion from a 2013 report ([[Information Resellers: Consumer Privacy Framework Needs to Reflect Changes in Technology and the Marketplace]]) that [[Congress]] consider strengthening the [[consumer privacy]] framework to reflect changes in [[technology]] and the marketplace.

[[Category:Publication]]
[[Category:2020]]
[[Category:Privacy]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Biometrics]]