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Week 12. [15.06-21.06] Face surveillance

The topic of protecting our online privacy is very often discussed among people all around the world.
Everybody wants to feel that whatever they do on their computers or smartphones is kept private.
Not so many people, however, are aware of the fact that our real life privacy might also be at risk. 
Kade Crockford is a Director of the Technology for Liberty Program at ACLU Massachusetts.
ACLU stands for: American Civil Liberties Union and for nearly 100 years they have been
fighting to protect individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, Bill Rights,
and laws of the United States.
One of their latest and biggest concerns is the fact that the US government is about to implement
the face recognition systems throughout the country.



Questions:
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future
would you agree to have it installed in your city?


Source:

Comments

1. It would seem that in certain aspects of life, such as in the case of murders, rapes, drug sales or other serious crimes, it should be easier (though you can't 100% trust machines) to locate the right person. Nevertheless, I would not like to collect data on all places that I visited and at what time.

2. I would certainly feel more embarrassed and afraid. Although I am not a bad person and I do not do bad things, I would not like the government to judge me.

3. I think that, first of all, we can indicate the use of similar (tracking) technologies into the current situation - tracking citizens for the purpose of detecting people who may be infected with coronavirus. I do not think that these technologies will be able to protect us against such situations in the long run. Fear is a good motive for imposing further restrictions on citizens and for additional control.
Andrzej Kawiak said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?

The subject is difficult. On the one hand, such tracking has made it easier to detect serious crimes, but it is a great interference with our privacy. Anyway, the development of this technology is unstoppable. Large corporations are very keen to develop this technology for the sake of profit. Governments, on the other hand, are also very keen to keep track of their citizens. In the near future, a right will be introduced so that personal data can be processed even without permission or the need to change the contract if there is a "legitimate interest".
2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
There are already cameras in public places and we are being followed.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future would you agree to have it installed in your city?
I don't think I'll have a choice. There are already such systems. Only the analysis is not done by an artificial neural network, but by man. Just like I said. We are already surrounded by cameras that follow us. Currently, the biggest result of such a system is the increased number of fines for alcohol consumption in public places.
Bartosz Barnat said…
1. I would say that I'm against this type of technology because it takes away our privacy at all. You could get tickets for almost every small violation and I'm sure if there would be something similar in Poland the government would send us huge penalty tickets.

2. I'm a quiet person that knows how to behave but I think I would feel insecure because of it. So yea I think it would change my behavior but only for the worse.

3. Then yes but I'm sure that it's not possible.
It's a very complex subject which has a lot of aspects. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it:)
Even if the original idea has people's safety as it's main goal that doesn't mean that sooner or later there won't be somebody who will use those systems inappropriately. I am sure we can agree on that.
Anti-terrorist systems might work but the question is for how long?
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?

Well it is hard to be judged. Because from one point of view it is stealing our privacy but from the other hand when it is used right it can really eliminate a lot of dangerous situtations as well as improve overall safety level of entire cities or countries

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?

In time of first implementations and first proofs of concepts I would but when I would used to it - it won't make me feel observed I guess. So overall - nope

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the futurewould you agree to have it installed in your city?

Like I sad in §1 it is hard to be judged

I also have mixed feelings. We can't tell how many disasters were stopped thanks to surveillance but also we can't tell how is this data really used.
Kyrylo said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
Against. As much as it will eliminate small crimes, it will give an insane amount of leverage to the corpos, and live zero room for personal privacy.
2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
It will turn me into an anarchist probably.
3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future
would you agree to have it installed in your city?
No. I have had terrorist attacks in my home city, and I still believe that sacrificing privacy is unspeakable measure.
I think that your point of view on the subject is extremaly important considering your experience from your home city.
Yubin said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
I don't against such technology, technologies are innocent, I against people are being forced to use it without any choice of their own, I also against the people who manipulate these technologies with immoral purposes. These circumstances hinder its beneficial development for our society.

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
In some case, it makes people feel insecure. To answer your question, it depends on its punishment mechanism, if I won't get any punishment whatever I do in such systems, then I won't care it.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future, would you agree to have it installed in your city?
Of course! If one more innocent people in the world can survive, I would rather let myself live in such systems, I think most of people would do so too. However, I think your assumption is too ideal to be true, although I hope it will come true someday.
1) Yes, I am definitely against such technology and it is against society. We are free people and we can live private lives. As it was described in the video, such systems do not help honest people at all, but can in fact be easily used in the wrong way without us knowing that. Such a case was already revealed by Edward Snowden and it is a very known history.

2) Probably not, because I am not doing anything wrong. But I would not feel as free as I was, I would know that there is something behind my head who is watching me.

3) No, because there is no technology which could assure that. I am a smart person and I won't believe in lies, so there is no field for discussion here.
I have to agree that there is no price too high if at least one person can be saved. The problem is that we can't predict those consequences.
That's right. Face surveillance would be just another tool which would allow some people to spy on others no matter how presented it is to the public.
1. Generally, I am not against, because I am one of those people who think that they have nothing to hide. It’s unpopular opinion, but for me safety is more important than privacy. If such a system can track and stop a criminal, it should be deployed in our cities.

2. No, because the way I behave in public places is just normal. I don’t do anything bad.

3. Yes, as I said before, as long as no one is using that to harm me, it should be fine. There is a risk that such a system can be hijacked by the terrorists and that could be catastrophic. In overall, I think that using such technology would have more pros than cons.
s18716 said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
It depends on what area of ​​the city such video surveillance systems are installed. There is a regulation for such things. That is, such methods of monitoring people should not violate the rights of individual freedoms and their personal space. Therefore, if such methods are used in crowded places, public places, then I think that they can be useful in this case. In fact, a lot of crimes are solved thanks to such cameras, so we can say that such systems have a positive effect.

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
I think no. When I am in a public place, I do not pay attention to the presence of cameras and try to behave naturally, since in general I do not behave somehow wrong and do not break the law.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future would you agree to have it installed in your city?
Yes, of course, if this were a real solution to the problem, I would only support the use of such systems. But this is unlikely, since such attacks take place for the most part abruptly, and video surveillance systems in this case only help to attest to the scene of the incident but in no way prevent them unfortunately.
That it without a doubt a unpopular idea but you are as right as anyone else. No one can tell you what to value more.
I am sceptical about it's ability to protect people too. It might cause criminals and terrorists to become only smarter.
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
I think every technology is for people. We need to learn to use it for a good purpose. Privacy is very important. If we can’t guarantee our privacy then we need to stop using such technology. I like new technologies and I think that some of them could be used to improve our life.

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
Probably I would feel uncomfortable knowing that someone observe me. Today cameras are installed in many places but there are areas where we can feel free. We need some privacy.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future would you agree to have it installed in your city?
It’s difficult to answer this question. Our safety and privacy are very important. Decision making between safety nad privacy is uncomfortable. After analyzing advantages and disadvantages I would make a decision.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aleksander said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
I'm against it as it is a real danger for our privacy. I don't want everyone to know where I am.
2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
Probably yes. You know, we behave differently among strangers and differently among friends.
3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future would you agree to have it installed in your city?
No, because I know that the same terrorists would use that system for their own reasons.
Olga Bogdał said…
1. I think that if there are no regulations, it's only a matter of time before someone misuses this information without taking care of whether it's private data and may harm someone or may not consent to its processing. So, no, I don't support face surveillance system.
2. I'm not one of those people who is interested in various conspiracy theories, but it would surely be a strange feeling to know that someone is watching all the time. Something like a takin part in a "Truman Show".
3. I'd have to do a lot of research on this subject to make that decision. At this point in time, I don't quite believe that a face surveillance would be able to completely prevent a terrorist attacks.
That's true. Privacy should be guaranteed to every citizen. The problem is that we have failed at this field many years ago.
The awareness of being observed all the time would affect everyones behaviour.
"Truman Show" is a great example. It is an extreme example but still accurate.

I have no opinion about this technology (it is not even in my pool of interesting).
I would certainly feel more embarrassed and afraid. Although I am not a bad person and I do not do bad things, I would not like the government to judge me.
For me, the comfort of life is more important than the lack of re-terrorist attacks, which, if I'm not mistaken, have not been present in the civilized world for a long time. Now only hacker attacks are fashionable xD
Angelika Dutt said…
I think that nowadays by using smartphones 24/7 anyway most of the information about us is known, so I think additional technology would only help in the fight against crime.

I don't think this system would affect the way I behave, I try to be cultured on a daily basis, but let's face it, we're all just people.

I'm for installing a system like this in my town.
That's the main thing. It is not a matter of being a bad or good person. It's about personal space.
Klaudia Kozioł said…
1. I wouldn’t say that I’m against using such technology, but I also don’t think that this fully works properly in favor for our society.
2. I don’t think that I would change my behave in public, I’m not embarrassed by anything that I’m doing so I don’t see reason to change my behavior.
3. Honestly I don’t know
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?

I am against using such technologies for sure. I don't like the idea, that I am monitored 24/7. I just, can't feel comfortable. Moreover, I am sure it is illegal to do such things. Every person has the right to live their lives and not to be monitored.

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?

Well, it is hard to tell. At the beginning, I think yes. Just because you remember, that you are being monitored the whole time. But after some time, I think I will get used to it and forget about it and start behaving normally.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future
would you agree to have it installed in your city?

No, because there is no 100% guarantee and in the end, those systems could be used against us. I heard, that in some countries are implemented such systems to protect from terrorist attacks, but eventually, it failed.
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
I think it might work in favor of society, for example crime prevention or the ease to catch criminals, but I’m against using such technology. I believe that such systems are easy to abuse and would quickly become a weapon against people who run it, such as political opponents. Just look how it's used in China.

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
They probably would, because I would feel constantly under surveillance, it would cause some irrational fears.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future
would you agree to have it installed in your city?
No I wouldn’t, as Benjamin Franklin once said "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
The fact that we are being under surveillance doesn't mean that it can't get worse.
The reason for changing behaviour doesn't have to obvious but the knowledge of being watched might be that reason.
Those countries should be defiantely used as examples to force a ban on such systems.
I have never read that quote but I have to admit that it beautifully sums it all up.
1. I am against using this technology because it brings us closer to Orwell’s vision from 1984.
2. Probably yes because some of my actions would get me in trouble if they were recorded and used against me.
3. There is a tv series called Person of Interest created by Jonathan Nolan who is also responsible for Westworld. The series tells a story about the machine that made it possible to prevent terrorist attack but it also tells what can happen when such power comes to wrong hands. After watching this i can say that i would not like to have such system in my city. Also statistically each year there are less deaths from terrorist attack.
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
I'm not against the technology but how the technology is used. if used correctly this kind of technology might work in favor of society but other times not.

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
Not really because it already in public so someone is watching me in one way or another but knowing this it feels not right.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future would you agree to have it installed in your city?
No, because the problem is not only related to terrorism but this kind of data can be used in many other ways.
1. Like everything else in this world, this issue has its good and bad points. In some aspects of life such as finding criminals faster, this is definitely a very good idea. However, I am frightened by the vision of such total surveillance of all citizens. This is a very difficult topic for discussion.
2. I would certainly feel very uncomfortable if I knew that such a face recognition system is already working. The cameras themselves are no longer a problem, because monitoring has long been in large cities.
3. I don't know if I would be asked for an opinion at all. I think that terrorists have such intelligent units in their ranks that, unfortunately, the facial recognition system alone will not stop them from harming people. Hypothetically speaking, if such a system eliminated the possibility of committing terrorist acts, I would be willing to agree to it.
Orwell's book should be enough of an example to convince people to ban it.
Aneta Artych said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
This kind of mentioned tracking are able to detect crimes which helps us feel safe. It has great interference with our privacy, but advantage overweight disadvantage in my opinion.
2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
No.
3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future would you agree to have it installed in your city?
I don't think, since there are already such cameras. Also analysis can be done soon by an artificial intelligence.
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?

Well it is hard to be judged. Because from one point of view it is stealing our privacy but from the other hand when it is used right it can really eliminate a lot of dangerous situtations as well as improve overall safety level of entire cities or countries

2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?

Well, it is hard to tell. At the beginning, I think yes. Just because you remember, that you are being monitored the whole time. But after some time, I think I will get used to it and forget about it and start behaving normally.

3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the futurewould you agree to have it installed in your city?

No I wouldn’t, as Benjamin Franklin once said "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Rafał Halama said…
1. Are you against using such technology or do you think it works in favor of our society?
Despite the benefits of such a technology, I am heavily against it, as privacy is one of the most valuable thing for me.
2. Would such systems change the way you behave in public places?
In my case, they wouldn't change anything. I'm not doing any crazy things in public apart from occasionally crossing the street without using the pedestrian crossing.
3. If those systems were able to assure you that there would be no terrorist attacks in the future
would you agree to have it installed in your city?
There is no terrorist attacks in my city, but in big cities it would be a welcome addition.
Everything might work as intended at first but soon after things might change.
That concerns me too. Terrorists might just get smarter.
The thing is that no one really knows how much data they have on us.
I have read that quote once before and I have to admit that it beautifully sums it all up.

What makes me think the most is that there not that many benefits when you think about it.

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