facebook and Facial Recognition–More Privacy Concerns

from JoeUser Forums

 

facebook thrives on the use of features which while potentially “cool” to some, have aspects which are of some concern

In my Post about Better Privacy tips, in the comments I alluded to today’s post.

I think that this new feature of facebook – which is not “voluntary” is, frankly, creepy. It also opens the portal for real abuse.

Engadget reported this feature in April and in the comments was:

“Awesome! Now I can take pictures of cute girls at the grocery store or at the park, upload them and Facebook will tell me who they are! (I'm pretty sure that’s not [how] it works but I’m sure it will get there.)” – Inzombiak

He/she is correct: That’s not how it works. Yet.

However: Security companies do this all the time, and it’s really a privacy violation if done on a website and not as an identification measure to afford access within a company or branch of the government. That’s creepy enough anyway in this age of plastic surgery.

“Facebook engineer Justin Mitchell explained in a blog post that the social network, boasting more than 500 million users worldwide, took several steps to ensure that another privacy fiasco wouldn't break out. If you don't want your name suggested in other people's albums, you can disable the feature from the site's privacy settings menu. This way, your name will no longer be suggested in photo tags, but (again, depending on your settings) your friends will be able to tag you manually in photos.  Facebook says that more than 100 million people tag photos every day, making the photos application probably more popular than any other dedicated photo-sharing service on the Internet. In September, Facebook also introduced some other improvements to photos, such as higher resolution uploads, a new photo viewer, and easier tagging and uploading.” – PCWorld

Honestly? For folks who wish to share photos, and understand what they’re doing and sacrificing: Fine.

I think Facebook needs to do one really simple thing. Well, three:

1. When joining, a complete list of features current at that point in time their potential advantages and disadvantages should be given and required to review to the end with a ‘tick’ box “Opt in” or “Opt out” next to each one.

2. No more of this automatic crap: The “default” setting should be “Opt out”.

3. Every time features change, on the sign in page (also no “Remain signed in” option), the NEW complete list should be posted and required review be performed.

Might stop a lot of the crud that happens there, but it won’t stop you from making a wiener of yourself.

*sigh. I promised myself I wouldn’t go there.

Added at time of publication:

Beware New facebook “Enable Dislike Button” scam now spreading in facebook. – ZDnet

Please read about it via the last link below.

 

Sources:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/facebook-planning-facial-recognition-for-picture-uploads/#comments

http://www.pcworld.com/article/226228/facebook_facial_recognition_its_quiet_rise_and_dangerous_future.html#tk.mod_rel

http://www.pcworld.com/article/213894/facebook_adds_facial_recognition_to_make_photo_tagging_easier.html

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/enable-dislike-button-scam-spreading-on-facebook/8655

35,678 views 23 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

If Facebook were really serious about privacy, as they claim they are, they would already have implemented those three policies long ago, Doc.  Conceptually, I don't argue with the notion of putting the onus on the user to take responsibility for online behavior, but Facebook's privacy options are just way too opaque.  Worse than trying to find a feature control in Outlook, and that's saying something. 

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

I realized, sometimes Facebook is all bark and no bite.   I logged on as an alias, and I got an email notice.  Said if I didn't verify my personal info, I wouldn't be able to log in.  I didn't care.  Gave them the finger, didn't verify anything.  Still able to log in.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting tetleytea, reply 2

I realized, sometimes Facebook is all bark and no bite.   I logged on as an alias, and I got an email notice.  Said if I didn't verify my personal info, I wouldn't be able to log in.  I didn't care.  Gave them the finger, didn't verify anything.  Still able to log in.

End of tetleytea's quote

Surprise. Not.

Quoting Daiwa, reply 1
If Facebook were really serious about privacy, as they claim they are, they would already have implemented those three policies long ago, Doc.  Conceptually, I don't argue with the notion of putting the onus on the user to take responsibility for online behavior, but Facebook's privacy options are just way too opaque.  Worse than trying to find a feature control in Outlook, and that's saying something. 
End of Daiwa's quote

I agree 100%, Daiwa...congrats on your promo, mate. :) :thumbsup:  

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

I can tell you right now with Facebook it's two things:

  • The pride of mega-success overshadowing the gratitude for it.
  • The assumption that it's "ethical" for a successful leading business to get profits by any means legally possible.

There's a word from the Greek that describes it perfectly:  Hubris

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 3
congrats on your promo, mate.
End of DrJBHL's quote

Hadn't seen that, so thanks.  There's a Longevity Division, apparently (Jafo & I go way back).  Guess I better start skinning. ;)

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 5
Guess I better start skinning
End of Daiwa's quote
Definitely...and update Granular. It's still one of my favorite skins.  :grin:

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Sinperium, reply 4
I can tell you right now with Facebook it's two things:


The pride of mega-success overshadowing the gratitude for it.
The assumption that it's "ethical" for a successful leading business to get profits by any means legally possible.

There's a word from the Greek that describes it perfectly:  Hubris
End of Sinperium's quote

Yes, Zuckerberg has a Google mentality.... global domination...  his first small step prior to a conquest of the planets... the universe[s] [known or otherwise].

Some people's greed know no bounds, and sadly, Zuckerberg falls into that category and has exploited millions of Facebook users to further his cause... which is to amass a personal wealth greater than many small... um, medium to large countries.  Nope, I cannot stand greedy bastards who hide their greedy agendas behind suspect services that supposedly are for the benefit of mankind.  Just like Googlecrap, I will never avail myself of those 'services'.

Oh, and I read the other day that Zuckerberg will only eat meat he has killed himself.  Hopefully he decides to have snake one night for dinner [venomous].... and it bites back.  Preferably a Western Taipan or a King Brown... the anti-venene won't be readily available... hehe.

 

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

Xiandi -

Thanks.  You are too kind.  Slow-motion update to Granular is 'in progress'.  And well-deserved congrats to you.

As for you, Doc...  :grin:

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 8
Preferably a Western Taipan or a King Brown...
End of starkers's quote

Inland Taipan .... and sadly [ ;p ] the anti-venene is quite accessible....

One milking of an Inland Taipan gets about 46cc ....enough to kill 4600 kilos of idiot.

Would that be enough?

Or should we dust off and nuke 'im from space....only way to be sure? ....;)

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

All Facebook needs is an age limit...and an IQ test to qualify for an account.

Get rid of the kids and the idiots and Facebook would be dead in the water.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 11
All Facebook needs is an age limit...and an IQ test to qualify for an account.

Get rid of the kids and the idiots and Facebook would be dead in the water.
End of Jafo's quote

Jafo has a very valid point.........I like it. :-"

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

He/she is correct: That’s not how it works. Yet.
End of quote

That is what bugs me about this feature.  I, like others here, are not on facebook by choice.  This software has the potential to make our decision moot.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Dr, reply 13
He/she is correct: That’s not how it works. Yet.

That is what bugs me about this feature.  I, like others here, are not on facebook by choice.  This software has the potential to make our decision moot.
End of Dr's quote

Not sure I understand, who is taking your choice away?

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 10
Inland Taipan .... and sadly [ ] the anti-venene is quite accessible....
End of Jafo's quote

Inland, Western Taipan... who cares...  the anti-venene isn't likely to be as widely available in the US... and the entire point.  Zuckerberg would unlikely survive the bite.

Quoting Jafo, reply 10
One milking of an Inland Taipan gets about 46cc ....enough to kill 4600 kilos of idiot.
End of Jafo's quote

Unless he's put weight on recently, Zuckerberg isn't that heavy.  Any more greedy, sponge-like candidates?

Quoting Jafo, reply 11
All Facebook needs is an age limit...and an IQ test to qualify for an account.

Get rid of the kids and the idiots and Facebook would be dead in the water.
End of Jafo's quote

Hmm, depends on how low the IQ test is set, wouldn't it?  I reckon set the age at 99.9 years and the IQ at 420, that oughta do it. :-"

Quoting Dr, reply 13
That is what bugs me about this feature. I, like others here, are not on facebook by choice. This software has the potential to make our decision moot.
End of Dr's quote

I'm not a member there full stop... and never will be, regardless of this new feature.  I always had an aversion to the site... now I have a complete distrust for it.  Not that I ever had procrastination over whether I'd join or not... 'twas always a no brainer for me.

Quoting Philly0381, reply 14
Not sure I understand, who is taking your choice away?
End of Philly0381's quote

Um, Facebook is... in that many people do not want their faces or identities up for public examination/scrutiny by default.  In the age of identity manipulation/theft. this places another tool in the hands of those seeking to exploit the innocent/unsuspecting.  While the use of another's face may be difficult or impossible for some criminals, this technology connects the face to a whole range of other information that can be exploited.  However, never rule out facial replication, not with these computer generated masks these days.  These can be made purely from photographs, and who knows the levels of sophistication criminals will go to to enact a crime.  Yup, this technology has serious implications and should not be placed in the public realm and expose who knows what to whom... ever.

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 15
Um, Facebook is... in that many people do not want their faces or identities up for public examination/scrutiny by default. In the age of identity manipulation/theft. this places another tool in the hands of those seeking to exploit the innocent/unsuspecting. While the use of another's face may be difficult or impossible for some criminals, this technology connects the face to a whole range of other information that can be exploited. However, never rule out facial replication, not with these computer generated masks these days. These can be made purely from photographs, and who knows the levels of sophistication criminals will go to to enact a crime. Yup, this technology has serious implications and should not be placed in the public realm and expose who knows what to whom... ever.
End of starkers's quote

To add to the Cap'n's thoughts.  last week (I think - it may have been 2 weeks ago), some ditz decided to stalk her ex-husband on Facebook.  She then proceeded to grab a picture off the internet, set up an account, and friend him (it turned out bad for her, but that is another story).  Who is to say that someone is not going to use your picture (or mine)?  While it is not Identify theft per se, with facial recognition, you are all of a sudden someone else!  And your picture may get you into a lot more trouble than an ID theft as the facial recognition will make sure it is tagged to you (and the mischievous doings of the impersonator).

Even assuming that no one would want to impersonate you (I am ugly enough that I do not worry about being the next Charlie Harper), many of your family and friends are probably on Facebook.  And what are they posting?  There are probably some pictures of you on their pages.  So should you have a stalker (I did a few years back), now they have your picture (possibly/probably a name) and no way for you to hide.  You are on facebook, even though you never signed up or want it.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Dr, reply 16
Who is to say that someone is not going to use your picture (or mine)? While it is not Identify theft per se, with facial recognition, you are all of a sudden someone else! And your picture may get you into a lot more trouble than an ID theft as the facial recognition will make sure it is tagged to you (and the mischievous doings of the impersonator).
End of Dr's quote

Precisely, and another scenario that makes this facial recognition thing dangerous... having somebody associate your face to any number of things you wouldn't be seen dead doing... and if it's criminal, the consequences could be horrendous. 

Quoting Dr, reply 16
So should you have a stalker (I did a few years back)
End of Dr's quote

Yeah, I had a stalker who terrified me.  It wasn't that he snuck up behind me and went "BOO"... no, he showed me his stalk. :-"

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 17
... no, he showed me his stalk.
End of starkers's quote

You or Mrs. Starkers? ;)

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 14
Quoting Dr Guy, reply 13He/she is correct: That’s not how it works. Yet.

That is what bugs me about this feature.  I, like others here, are not on facebook by choice.  This software has the potential to make our decision moot.

Not sure I understand, who is taking your choice away?
End of Philly0381's quote

Dr Guy, who is making you be on facebook?

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Dr, reply 18
You or Mrs. Starkers?
End of Dr's quote

Me!!!!  Though he wasn't exactly a stalker as such... it just seemed like he was there most times I turned around that day.... and when I was at a bus stop waiting for a ride home, he flopped out this... um. ginormous thingwy that more resembled a baseball bat than a regular 'stalk'  That's what put the wind up me... the thought of concussion if he hit me with it.

o_O

Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top

Just to clarify, is this feature active or still in the pipe?

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 19
Dr Guy, who is making you be on facebook?
End of Philly0381's quote

Anyone who posts my picture on the web site.

Quoting starkers, reply 20
the thought of concussion if he hit me with it.
End of starkers's quote

:grin:

Reply #23 from Elemental Forums Top

Ah, is the the face book version of "Stalking the Wild Asparagus?"