Converging technologies have made it possible to overlay online data atop the real world, according to Alessandro Acquisti, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University and the developer of new 'social recognition' software.
If you thought online facial recognition was creepy, imagine walking into a bar, snapping pictures of strangers' faces and instantly accessing their online profiles from sites like Facebook, Twitter and eHarmony. This is the future promised by social recognition, the only software technology that Google deemed too dangerous to pursue. But according to Acquisti and his fellow researchers, the "genie is already out of the bottle."
You're probably already conjuring up dystopian images of police officers scanning protest crowds, strangers digging up your online past and a world where privacy is rare. Yet, as the Carnegie Mellon social recognition software marches toward commercial release, your worries may be justified.
If I were you, I'd clean up my Internet history before the next cute stranger you meet instantly finds it.
Real-World Friend Requests
"People-Watching" Finds New Meaning With Social Recognition Software
Trend Themes
1. Social Recognition Software - Opportunity for businesses to develop social recognition software that can overlay online data onto the real world, creating new ways to connect and interact.
2. Facial Recognition Technology - An emerging trend in technology that allows for instant identification and access to online profiles by capturing images of individuals' faces, presenting opportunities for improved security measures and personalized experiences.
3. Privacy Concerns - Growing concerns over the invasion of privacy as technology advancements enable easy access to personal online information through facial recognition, leading to opportunities for businesses to develop and market privacy protection solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - The technology industry can leverage social recognition software and facial recognition technology to create innovative solutions in security, marketing, and personalized experiences.
2. Social Networking - Social networking platforms can explore integration with social recognition software to enhance user experiences, facilitate connections, and provide additional privacy options.
3. Cybersecurity - The cybersecurity industry can address privacy concerns related to facial recognition technology by developing robust protection mechanisms and privacy-focused solutions.