Google chairman warns US govt against facial recognition technology
WASHINGTON: Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt has warned governments against facial recognition technology, saying it is 'too creepy' even for the search engine.
Facial recognition technology is system is a computer application for automatically identifying or verifying a person's face from a digital image or a digital picture or video frame to potentially reveal personal information about them.
Although Schmidt said the technology has progressed in recent years and could be rolled out across the Internet, campaigners have expressed outrage over the fact that it could violate privacy and civil liberties, the Daily Mail reports.
Now Schmidt has said that internet giant Google, which has been criticised in the past for gathering information, was 'unlikely' to employ facial recognition programs, but warned that there were likely to be other organisations who might 'cross the line' and use facial recognition.
Facebook also used facial recognition programs, which allow users to 'tag' photos of people that are uploaded to the site.
Schmidt warned lawmakers not to prevent such services as it could hamper creativity and innovation.
"Hopefully the French or any other country won't pass laws that are so foolish they force Google to not be able to operate in those countries. Well-meaning people in government write something which is pretty broad and you have to be careful when you do this kind of regulation," he added.
Facial recognition technology is system is a computer application for automatically identifying or verifying a person's face from a digital image or a digital picture or video frame to potentially reveal personal information about them.
Although Schmidt said the technology has progressed in recent years and could be rolled out across the Internet, campaigners have expressed outrage over the fact that it could violate privacy and civil liberties, the Daily Mail reports.
Now Schmidt has said that internet giant Google, which has been criticised in the past for gathering information, was 'unlikely' to employ facial recognition programs, but warned that there were likely to be other organisations who might 'cross the line' and use facial recognition.
Facebook also used facial recognition programs, which allow users to 'tag' photos of people that are uploaded to the site.
Schmidt warned lawmakers not to prevent such services as it could hamper creativity and innovation.
"Hopefully the French or any other country won't pass laws that are so foolish they force Google to not be able to operate in those countries. Well-meaning people in government write something which is pretty broad and you have to be careful when you do this kind of regulation," he added.
