Blog

The basics of facial recognition

Facial recognition is a form of biometric security used in identifying or verifying one’s identity using their face. It can be used in identifying an individual from videos and photos/images, and also, from real-time transmission systems.

Originally written by Yasir Alvi

Facial recognition technology is widely used by law enforcement and security agencies. The technology has made identification and verification swift and highly accurate.

How does facial recognition work?

The technology works by matching the faces of individuals through specially designed cameras, to already existing images of people on an assigned list. The assigned list usually contains photos of anyone either from social media accounts or a central database.

Below are the procedures for facial recognition.

Face detection

Firstly. The specialised camera detects and locates the image of a face.

Face analysis

Then the image of the face is captured and analysed. The facial recognition software reads the face geometry including the separation of the eyes, the depth of the eye sockets, the shape of the cheekbones, the contour of the ears, chin, and lips, and the distance from the forehead to chin. This is aimed at creating a facial landmark that distinguishes people’s faces, even twins.

2D images are most used by the technology, because most electronically stored images from public databases and social media are in 2D, rather than 3D format.

Converting the image to data

The analysed captured face is then converted into a mathematical formula, in which the numerical code is called face-print. It’s a process where the captured face transforms analogue information into a set of digital data based on the individual’s facial features.  Hence, each face-print is unique, just like a mathematical formula.

Finding a match

Lastly, the unique face-print is compared against a database of other faces. If the individual’s face-print matches an image in a facial recognition database, then the recognition is complete.

It is widely speculated that amongst other biometric technologies, facial recognition is considered the most natural.

Where is facial recognition used?

Facial recognition is used in almost all areas of human activities.

Law enforcement

Law enforcement agencies or institutions all over the world have employed the use of Facial recognition in solving the most difficult crime cases. The agency personnel collects captures the faces of suspects with their smartphones, tablets, and other devices, and compares them against local, state, and federal face recognition databases and across countries and continents.

Locking and unlocking phones

Recently, most phones ranging from Samsung, Techno, Nokia, and even iPhones, use face recognition to unlock the device. The software application in smartphones offers a powerful way to protect personal data and ensures that sensitive data remains inaccessible if the phone is stolen.

Airports and border control

Technology is predominant in many airports around the world. This is due to the fact large numbers of travellers hold biometric passports, thereby making it easier to just walk through an automated e-passport control to reach the onboarding room.

Banking

Online banking has been made better through face recognition. Customers can authorise transactions by just looking at their smartphone, tablet, or portable device, instead of waiting for an OTP (one-time-password) There are no passwords for hackers to compromise.

The list goes on and on.

Advantages of face recognition

  • Reduction of crime: face recognition makes it easier to track down burglars, thieves, and trespassers.
  • Facial recognition offers a quick, automatic, and seamless verification experience.
  • Faster processing: facial recognition process takes only a few seconds, which has benefits for the companies that use facial recognition.
  • Integration with other technology: most facial recognition software is compatible with other security software. It is easily integrated.

Disadvantages of face recognition

  • Surveillance: it is feared that facial recognition technology allows governments to track down criminals, and also track down innocent people at any time.
  • Software error: the technology itself is not free from error, which could lead to people being accused of crimes they know nothing about.
  • Infringement of privacy: the government of some powerful nations has been known to store several citizens’ pictures without their consent.
    Tags: